Box Score

Erie, Pa. – The Mercyhurst women's basketball team opened 2010 by extending its winning streak to five games with a 70-56 victory over Shippensburg Saturday, Jan. 2 at Mercyhurst Athletic Center. The Lakers, led by three players in double-figures, stormed out to a 36-24 halftime lead, and used a 13-4 run to pull away at the end. Amy Achesinski led three players in double-figures with 18 points and seven rebounds.

Mercyhurst improved its record to 6-3 on the season with the win, while Shippensburg has lost six games in a row and is now 5-8.

Shippensburg scored the first basket of the game, good for the visiting team's only lead of the game, as the Lakers mounted a 21-3 run, taking a commanding 21-5 lead with 10:28 left in the first half. Mercyhurst used an effective combination of interior passing and drive-and-kick opportunities, leading to open three-pointers. Megan Hoffman connected for two three-pointers and Samantha Loadman added one triple during the early skein.

The Raiders then sliced the margin to 11 points on a layup by Caitlin Bamberger that made it 27-16 with 6:50 to go in the opening session. The Lakers maintained their double-digit advantage throughout the remainder of the half, and led 36-24 after 20 minutes.

The Lakers went 6-for-14 from beyond the arc in the first half, with Hoffman, Dana Banda and Loadman each hitting two triples. Also, Mercyhurst swiped 11 steals, causing 15 Shippensburg turnovers. Banda and Loadman each had 10 points in the first half.

Mercyhurst pressed its lead to 17 points on three occasions in the second half, answering Shippensburg baskets, capped by a jumper by Nikki Frederickson which made it 45-28 with 16:56 left in the game. The Raiders chipped away at the lead, but still trailed by 13 points near the midway point of the second half when Lindsay Whipkey made a layup to give the Lakers a 55-42 advantage.

Shippensburg went to work on the offensive end, and a four-point play by Sheila Wasser capped a 10-2 run, cutting the Laker lead to five points at 57-52 with 6:57 left. Amy Achesinski scored the next 10 points of the game, including a three-pointer, boosting Mercyhurst's advantage to 67-52 with 2:44 left. Shippensburg made baskets on each of their next two possessions, but it was not enough, and Mercyhurst claimed a 70-56 victory over the Raiders, matching its winning score against Shippensburg Jan. 3, 2009.

The Lakers shot 51.8 percent from the floor for the game, and connected on 9-of-23 three-pointers. Shippensburg made 39.7 percent of its shots, and hit two threes. Rebounds were even at 32, the first time Mercyhurst has been matched on the boards this season. Mercyhurst totaled 21 assists and 12 steals.

Achesinski led the Lakers with 18 points and seven rebounds, her fifth straight game in double-figures this season. She is also closing in on two milestones, as she currently has 960 career points and 484 rebounds.

Loadman added 15 points, including three three-pointers, and dished out four assists.

Banda scored 13 points and set career highs with eight assists and six steals. Her eight assists are the most by a Laker since Stephanie Prischak had nine assists Dec. 28, 2006, and her six steals were the most since Prischak recorded six thefts against Ashland Jan. 10, 2008.

Frederickson and Whipkey each tallied eight points, while Frederickson pulled down a career-best six boards and Whipkey tied a career high with three assists. Hoffman contributed six points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals. Jackie Artise scored one basket and pulled down five rebounds.,

Lauren Beckley led Shippensburg with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Kasey Gardner added 16 markers.

The Lakers will next host Cheyney Sunday, Jan. 3 at 1 p.m. Cheyney brings a 3-5 record into the contest, having lost 68-64 Saturday at Slippery Rock. The Wolves downed the Lakers 60-43 in their last meeting, Jan. 4, 2009.