Boxscore

CALIFORNIA, Pa. – Three players scored in double-figures for the Lakers as Mercyhurst College outlasted California (Pa). , 61-60, in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division contest.

In its first conference road win, Mercyhurst (13-6, 3-3 PSAC West) was led by Jordan Armstrong with 17 points and six rebounds while Nnamdi Nnadili added 12 points and Jeremiah Wise contributed11 markers. 

Despite having four players in double-figures, including game-highs in 18 points and 10 rebounds from Andrew Young, California (12-9, 0-6) drops its sixth-straight game. 

Mercyhurst and California played back-and-forth through the beginning minutes until the Vulcans went on a 14-4 run punctuated by Kelsey Williams' jumper with 10:04 remaining for an 18-14 advantage. The two squads continued the see-saw action for the next several baskets until the Lakers closed out the half with an 11-2 run that built a six-point lead, 33-27 with just over a minute remaining in the opening stanza. 

The Vulcans Travis Young hit a pair of free throws in the opening stanza's final minute before Young's layup at the buzzer cut into the Lakers lead as Mercyhurst entered the intermission with a 33-31 lead. 

The Lakers steadily rebuilt their lead in the opening minutes of the second half behind a 14-6 run that including a 10-2 stretch that saw Wise and Nnadili hit 3-pointers. The duo each finished with a shared game-high three 3-pointers. 

With Mercyhurst holding a 10-point advantage, 47-37 at the 14:09 mark, California chipped away at the score in the next six minutes to cut into the lead, but Wise delivered another trey to give the Lakers their largest lead of the game 7:21 on. 

However, California put together a 10-0 run of its own to reclaim the lead for the sixth time as Young buried two free throws with 4:59 left. 

Once again, the Lakers answered with a 5-0 run to take a 61-57 edge with 1:47 remaining. 

The Vulcans would not go easily, scoring the next three points to cut within one, 61-60, with 47 seconds remaining. 

The two teams traded missed baskets in the closing seconds and Shelton Jackson's steal with one second remaining sealed the victory. 

The Lakers finished shooting 42.9 percent (21-of-49) from the field compared to California's 40.4 percent (21-of-52). From behind the arc, Mercyhurst hit 7-of-18 trifectas while the Vulcans managed just one in seven attempts. From the charity stripe, the Lakers hit just 12-of-21 while California finished 17-of-22. 

Next up for the Lakers is crosstown rival Gannon on Wednesday, February 3rd at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the event are by pre-sale only. Fans may purchase tickets at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center on Monday, February 1 and Tuesday, February 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If tickets remain they will be sold on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. 

The Golden Knights swept a pair of contests from the Lakers a year ago.