ERIE, Pa.- The Mercyhurst men's basketball team will head to Clarion for its Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division opener Wednesday, January 11. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. at Tippin Gymnasium.
 
Live stats will be available at http://www.sidearmstats.com/clarion/mbball/index.htm and a live audio broadcast will be available at http://www.redzonemedia.com/viewschedule.asp?sportID=2&SchoolID=62.
 
Hurst enters the contest 8-4 overall and 6-2 in conference action. The Lakers fell to Shippensburg January 6 and then defeated Cheyney the next day. Sophomore Matt Lee is scoring 16.3 points per game, having hit 35 three-pointers this season. Andrew Rickard and Bill Weaver are also scoring in double figures on the year. Weaver recorded 16 points and eight rebounds against Ship and then poured in a career-high 22 on 12-14 free throw shooting in the victory over Cheyney.
 
Clarion sports a 10-4 mark with a 6-2 PSAC record. The Golden Eagles also split their final two crossover games last weekend. They beat Mansfield, 74-73, and then dropped an 87-85 decision to Bloomsburg the following day. The loss snapped a nine-game winning streak for the Eagles.
 
Freshman Winfield Willis leads the team with 17.6 points per game. Preseason all-PSAC West selection Quintus 'Bud' Teer is averaging 11.4 points and 9.2 rebounds a game.
 
Indiana (Pa.) leads the division with a 7-1 record, as Hurst, Clarion, and Gannon are each a game back at 6-2 after crossover play.
 
Coach Gary Manchel's squad starts a three-game homestand Saturday, January 14, against Slippery Rock.

For complete game notes, please click here.