Boxscore

ERIE, Pa. – The Ashland University women's basketball team had four players in double-figures as the Eagles took an 80-66 decision at Mercyhurst in the season opener for both teams.

Jena Stutzman posted 22 points while Rachel Poorman added 19 and Lindsay Tenyak and Daiva Gerbec added 11 and 10 tallies, respectively.

For the Lakers, Amy Achesinski registered a game-high 24 points while Megan Hoffman added a career-high 20 points and Samantha Loadman chipped in 14 points.

Ashland held a slim 34-30 lead at the half thanks to 13-of-30 from the floor, including 4-of-8 from behind the arc and a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe. In comparison, the Lakers hit 12-of-33 (36.4 percent) in the first half on 5-of-19 from the field.

In the final stanza, Ashland continued its hot shooting with 17-for-29 from the floor, including six more three-pointers to finish the game at 50 percent (10-for-20). The momentum in this game turned in AU's favor early in the second half. After a layup by Hoffman left the Eagles with a 34-32 lead with 18:28 left in the second half, the Eagles went on a 13-2 surge over the next 3:09. That run gave the visitors a 47-34 lead with 15:19 left in regulation. Ashland led by as many as 22 points in the second half.

The Lakers also received points from Dana Banda and Nikki Frederickson, tallying five and three, respectively. Achesinski added eight rebounds and Hoffman grabbed seven boards.

Next up for the Lakers a 7:30 p.m. tipoff against Findlay in the Tiffin Tournament on Friday, Nov. 19.