ERIE, Pa.- The Mercyhurst women's basketball team lost, 67-47, at #19 Gannon Wednesday evening. The Lakers dropped to 11-12 overall and 9-10 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division.
 
Down 13 at the half, Hurst fought back several times. Nikki Frederickson's layup two minutes into the second frame got the visitors going. Baskets by Dana Banda, Frederickson and Kelsey Trosch made it 42-34 GU with 14:47 to play. An 8-0 Lady Knights' run was highlighted by a Brittany Batts three-pointer to give Gannon an 18-point margin.
 
Lindsey Burke hit a lay-in, Frederickson a jumper, and Abby Allen made a bucket to make it 54-40 with 9:35 to go. Banda's layup made it even closer, but the Knights took control from there. A Caitlyn Lowe trey and two Jen Papich baskets allowed GU to pull away.
 
In the first half, Banda came out hot, hitting a three and then making a free throw after a Gannon technical. GU went on a 16-0 run to take control before two Frederickson layups got the Lakers back in it. Banda made a nice move driving inside for a lay-in, but the Knights kept the pressure on, going ahead 17 on two Caitlyn Lowe free throws with 9:02 left.
 
Allen and Frederickson each scored and then Banda hit two free throw tries, making it 31-18 with 6:23 to go. A Papich trey, a Blake bucket, and a Sebald score gave the hosts a more comfortable margin. Frederickson then converted a three-point play to make it 38-21 with just under four minutes remaining. The teams traded free throws to close the half, as GU went into the locker room ahead, 39-26.
 
Banda finished with 19 points and four rebounds. Frederickson was next with 16 points, while Allen totaled six points and six assists. Mollie Sebald led GU with 16 points and eight boards.
 
Hurst returns to the MAC for a PSAC West game against California (Pa.) on Saturday, February 18. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m.
 
For a box score of the Mercyhurst-Gannon game, please click here.