Box Score
Clarion, Pa. – After a valiant comeback effort, Mercyhurst lost in a close PSAC West matchup with Clarion, falling 77-75. The Lakers fall to 12-6 overall and 2-3 in conference play while the Golden Eagles improved to 12-6 and 4-1 in the PSAC West.
In a game that was close throughout, including nine lead changes and seven ties, the Lakers had a chance on the final possession to pull out a win on the road. However Elliot Engelmann's three at the buzzer went in-and-out preserving the Golden Eagles victory.
Mercyhurst was led by four players in double figures. Nnamdi Nnadili contributed a team-high 16 points, 14 coming in the second half. Heiden Ratnerr continued his strong scoring streak, adding 13 for the Lakers. Christian Cornelius and Jeremiah Wise rounded out the scorers in double digits, tallying 11 markers each. Nine total players scored for the Lakers.
Clarion saw seven Golden Eagles score. They also had four in double figures, led by Carty Shameel who poured in 24 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Lloyd and Jamar Harrison each gave the Bald Eagles 14 points while Mike Sherry scored 10.
The close finish to the game was indicative of the intense and tight first half. The opening stanza began six lead changes and three ties as each team attempted to establish itself. Clarion, playing at home, seemed to take control midway through the first period, using a 13-0 run to gain an 11-point lead with just under four minutes to play.
However, the Lakers held the Golden Eagles scoreless for the remaining 3:57, using a 9-0 run to get back into the game. The run was fueled by a balanced offensive attack in which four players scored. Jason Snow chipped in four points and an Engelmann three at the buzzer pulled the Lakers to within two at the break.
Mercyhurst started the second half the way they ended the first, with a three, this time by Jeremiah Wise, giving them their first lead since early in the first half. Clarion regained the lead with a 9-3 run and the Golden Eagles would not trail again in the game.
After a Nnadili three with 15:14 left gave the Lakers a 1-point lead, Clarion went on another run, this time 19-10. Lloyd Harrison fueled the scoring flurry with eight points to give his team a 61-51 lead with 9:40 to go.
The Lakers did not give up, slowly working themselves back into the game, outscoring the Golden Eagles by 10 over the next eight minutes to tie the game at 71. After two Jamar Harrison free throw points, the Lakers tied the game again when Christian Cornelius scored in the lane.
From there, the Golden Eagles scored their remaining four points at the line, going 4-for-8 in the last 1:19. However after shooting well from the line throughout the game (18-for-24, .750 percent), Jamar Harrison missed two at the stripe with 17 seconds remaining, giving the Lakers a chance to pull out the win.
After a quick timeout, the Lakers went for a three and the win. It looked good for moment, but Engelmann's three wouldn't stay down and the Clarion held on to win.
The Lakers stayed in the game despite being outshot 55.1 percent (27-of-49) to 41.8 percent (28-of-67) by making seven more threes than Clarion (12-of-32 to 5-of-12). The Golden Golden were also more accurate from the line, shooting 75.0 percent (18-of-24) to the Lakers 46.7 (7-of-15). Mercyhurst did outrebound Clarion 40-32, including 19-12 in the second half.
The Lakers look to rebound when they travel to California, Pa. on Saturday, Jan. 30 for a PSAC West contest with the Vulcans (12-8, 0-5 PSAC West) at 3:00 p.m.
