Box Score

Erie, Pa. – Mercyhurst women's basketball completed its home schedule on a winning note Saturday, defeating Lock Haven 68-48 in front of 153 fans at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. Amy Achesinski and Samantha Loadman scored 15 points each, and Stephanie Prischak added 14 markers in her final home contest. 

The Lakers jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first three minutes, receiving a three-pointer from Samantha Loadman and a layup from Prischak. Prischak then made two three-pointers during a 6-3 surge, and gave Mercyhurst an 11-3 advantage with 13:07 remaining in the first half. Lock Haven outscored the Lakers 9-3 over the next four minutes, and trailed 14-12 when Milan Dry made a jumper. Mercyhurst immediately went on an 8-0 run, as Amy Achesinski chipped in four points, and Kelsey Gordon and Nikki Frederickson each added a layup. Mercyhurst led 22-12 with 4:33 remaining. The Lady Eagles outscored the Lakers 8-5 over the remaining four and half minutes, and Mercyhurst took a 27-20 lead into the locker room. 

The Lakers shot just 34.6 percent from the field in the first half, but made four out of 10 three-point attempts. The Lady Eagles shot 29.6 percent from the field and made one three in the first half. Prischak led all scorers with 10 first-half points. The Lakers shut down high-scoring Lauren Kelshaw, keeping her off the scoresheet in the first half. 

Lock Haven scored five points total on its first two possessions in the second half, sandwiched around an Achesinski layup, and trailed by four points at 29-25 with 18:52 to go in the game. Mercyhurst then went on a 15-0 burst to take control of the ballgame, as Achesinski scored baskets on three consecutive possessions, followed by three made three-pointers from Loadman. The Lakers held a 44-25 lead with 15:02 remaining in regulation, and built their lead to 21 points at 52-31 when Megan Hoffman made a put-back lay-in with 10:44 left. The Lady Eagles responded with a 14-3 run and trailed by 10 points at 55-45 with 5:36 left in the game. Mercyhurst closed the game out on a 13-3 skein to claim the victory, 68-48. 

The Lakers are now 10-15, 4-8 in PSAC West play, and have broken a six-game winless streak. The Lady Eagles fall to 3-22, 0-12 in the PSAC West. 

For the game, Mercyhurst shot 44.6 percent from the field and made eight three-pointers at a 36.4 percent clip. The Lady Eagles made 32.2 percent of their field goals and made just two three-pointers. Mercyhurst won the battle on the boards, 41-36, and the Lakers converted 18 Lock Haven turnovers into 21 points. 

Achesinski scored 15 points and pulled down 14 rebounds for her second consecutive double-double, her sixth of the season and 13th for her career. She also dished out a career-high five assists, using deft interior passing. She has now scored 809 career points. 

Loadman made five three-pointers for 15 points, the fourth time in her career she has made five or more three-pointers in a game. She also grabbed five rebounds. 

Prischak netted 14 points and added five rebounds and tied for the team lead with five assists. She made two three-pointers, and has connected on 44 threes this season, one more than in 2007-08. 
Additionally, with a layup late in the game she scored her 1,100th career point. 

Gordon was one of a few guards assigned to help shut down Lauren Kelshaw, and Gordon tied a season high with nine points herself, making three field goals and three free throws. Freshmen Hoffman and Frederickson scored four points each, with Hoffman grabbing four rebounds and Frederickson five. Jackie Artise made one three-pointer for three points, and Stevie Spetoskey and Lindsay Whipkey evenly split four points. 

The Lakers have won 10 games for the first time since the 1999-2000 season, when the team went 15-12 overall. 

Lock Haven was led in scoring by Milan Dry, with 14 points. 

The Lakers will take on cross town rival Gannon Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Hammermill Center. The Golden Knights are 22-3 and 10-2 in the PSAC West, and downed the Lakers 58-48 Feb. 4 at the MAC. Tickets go on sale Monday at Gannon's Carneval Athletic Pavilion at 9 a.m.