Box Score

ERIE, Pa.- The Mercyhurst men's basketball team lost, 67-62, to East Stroudsburg Saturday afternoon at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. Luis Leao led the Lakers with 24 points and eight rebounds in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) opener.
 
The game was tight throughout. The Lakers led, 29-28, at the half, but the score remained close, as neither team had more than a six-point edge in the final 15 minutes of action.
 
With 4:59 to play, Leao hit a jumper to even the score at 56. ESU hit a free throw and then Whis Grant followed with a jumper for a 59-56 advantage. After a Terrance King dunk, Andy Hoying shook free for a layup with 2:18 remaining to get the home team within three. King split two free throws and then Leao connected on a jump shot.
 
The teams traded a pair of free throws and then Terrence Ingram made a steal on an inbounds pass with 49 seconds left. The Lakers came up empty on the ensuing possession and East Stroudsburg slammed the door with a Duane Johnson three with 11 seconds to play.
 
Leao totaled 24 points on 9-17 shooting. Beau Samuelson and Keith Ellington each added eight points. Both hit two treys. As a team, the Lakers shot 22-47 (46.8 percent) from the floor and 13-14 (92.9 percent) from the free throw line.
 
Johnson led ESU with 19 points and nine boards. Grant posted 18 points. The Warriors converted 23-30 free throws, as Johnson Grant, and Gerald Bridges, Jr., each made six.
 
The loss dropped Mercyhurst 2-3 overall and 0-1 in the conference. East Stroudsburg is 4-1 and 1-0 in the PSAC.
 
The Lakers host Kutztown in another PSAC crossover tomorrow. The contest is scheduled for a 3 p.m. start at the MAC.