Box Score

ASHLAND, Ohio- The Mercyhurst women's basketball team lost, 59-44, to Northern Michigan Saturday afternoon. Kaylee Foster led the Lakers with 13 points in the 2012-13 season opener. The non-conference game was played at Kates Gymnasium at Ashland University.

Northern scored on its opening possession, but Mercyhurst came back with a Foster layup from Adrienne Kloecker. After another Wildcat hoop, Kelsey Trosch scored, again from Kloecker.

Northern hit three free throws before Foster recorded a basket with 13:21 left. Alayna White followed with a layup at the 10:48 mark to make it 11-8. The Wildcats answered with four straight three-pointers to pull away. Paris Thomas had a jumper fall with 6:06 left, but Northern kept coming, expanding the lead to 30-11. Dana Banda ended the first half with an old-fashioned three-point play as the teams went into the half with NMU ahead, 32-14.

The Lakers tried to rally in the second half, but it was not enough. Foster had a strong period, hitting 4-5 field goals for nine points and grabbing four rebounds.

The Ida, Michigan, native led with 13 points and five boards. Banda added seven points, four assists, and two steals. Kloecker had five points, four rebounds, and three steals in her Laker debut.

Mercyhurst plays at top-ranked Ashland tomorrow. The non-league match is set for a 4 p.m. start.