ERIE, Pa. – Mercyhurst (15-8, 3-7 PSAC West) had four players score in double-figures, led by a team-high 19 points from Nnamdi Nnadili, but it would not be enough as visiting IUP (19-4, 8-2 PSAC West) dominated the boards in a 72-65 victory.

The Crimson Hawks enjoyed a 43-25 rebounding advantage, including 18 offensive boards that led IUP to put down 21 second-chance points.

The Lakers jumped out to a quick four point lead to start the game before back-to-back buckets by Darryl Webb tied the score at 6-6. The two teams would knot the score twice more before IUP went on a 21-8 run behind 14 of Webb's game-high 20 points to break the game open and take a 31-18 lead with just under four minutes remaining in the first half. 

However, three-straight 3-pointers, one each from Nnadili, Elliot Engelmann and Anthony Terry, brought the Lakers to within seven points before halftime where IUP entered the locker rooms with a 38-29 advantage. 

In the second stanza, IUP led by as many as 12 before Mercyhurst went on a 7-0 run that cut the Crimson Hawks' lead to four with just over four minutes remaining. The Lakers would cut the lead to three with 58 seconds remaining after a Nnadili 3-pointer, capping off a 16-point second half for the junior, and two free-throws from Terry. 

But that would be as close as the Lakers would get as IUP knocked down 6-of-6 free throw in the final minute to hold off Mercyhurst's comeback attempt.
Engelmann added 16 points for the Lakers while Armstrong and Brian McTear each finished with 10 markers. 

For IUP, Ashton Smith contributed 14 tallies and Thomas Young added 11 points while Gerald Brooks finished off the players in double-figures with 11 markers.

The Lakers are next in action on Wednesday, February 18 at Clarion for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff. Mercyhurst faces a must-win situation to keep its hope alive for one of four Western Division playoff berths.