Box Score
ERIE, Pa.- The Mercyhurst women's basketball team picked up its first win of the 2012-13 season Saturday, beating East Stroudsburg, 63-49, in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) opener.
Alayna White led the Lakers with 13 points and six rebounds off the bench.
After a slow start, Mercyhurst began dialing from long range. ESU went up 5-0 and 7-2 before
Paris Thomas hit a three-pointer with 14:46 left. White connected on two free throws and then
Dana Banda nailed a trey to give the hosts a 10-9 edge. With 11:53 to go,
Adrienne Kloecker made a triple and then Thomas followed with another 30 seconds later. Banda expanded the lead to 18-11 with a layup at the 10:14 mark.
The Warriors fought back though, scoring six straight points to get back in the game. However, Kloecker drilled a three with 5:44 to play for a 21-17 advantage.
Kaylee Foster joined in on the party, connecting from deep with 4:16 to go for a six-point Laker lead.
Kelsey Trosch kept the momentum going with a pair of free throws and a lay-in for a 29-20 lead. Mercyhurst entered the locker room with a 30-23 advantage.
In the second half, Thomas continued the three party, draining one with 17:20 left for a 36-23 lead. The Lakers maintained a comfortable margin until the Warriors made their move with less than ten minutes left. A Ryann Fiascki bucket got the visitors within 50-44 with 7:33 to play. Banda answered with a layup on the other end and then White connected on two free throws. Mercyhurst was never threatened again.
White finished with 13 points in 20 minutes. Banda added 11 points, four boards, and three steals. Thomas scored 10 points in 19 minutes, while Foster recorded seven points and six rebounds. Fiascki was the lone Warrior in double figures, scoring 14 points.
As a unit, the Lakers shot 48.8 percent (20-41) from the field, including 10-21 from downtown. ESU hit just 30.6 percent (15-49) of their attempts, including 1-10 accuracy from three.
The Lakers improved to 1-2 overall and 1-0 in the PSAC. East Stroudsburg dropped to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the conference.
Mercyhurst takes on Kutztown in another PSAC crossover tomorrow. The game is slated for a 1 p.m. tip-off at the MAC.
