ERIE, Pa.- The Mercyhurst women's basketball team hosts California (Pa.) Saturday, February 18. Tip-off for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division contest is set for 1 p.m. at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. The game is part of the PSAC's Hooping for a Cure program.
 
Live stats will be available at http://www.sidearmstats.com/hurst/wbball/scoreboard.aspx.
A live America One broadcast will be available at http://www.b2livetv.com/partner_members.asp?id=16.
 
Hurst is 11-12 overall and 9-10 in the conference coming off a 67-47 loss at #19 Gannon on February 15. Dana Banda scored 19 points to lead the Lakers. The defeat dropped Mercyhurst to three games behind Cal for fourth place in the division. Coach Deanna Richard's squad must win its final three outings of the regular season to have a chance to qualify for the PSAC Tournament.
 
The Vulcans enter Saturday with a 14-8 overall mark and a 12-7 league record. They won at Slippery Rock, 72-64, on February 15. Cal is on a three-game winning streak, including a key win over #21 Indiana (Pa.) on February 8. With a win at the MAC, California will clinch a berth in the conference tournament.
 
Nikki Frederickson leads the Lakers with 13 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 57.7 percent field goal shooting. Amy Johns, also a senior, leads the Vulcans, averaging 18.9 points and 6.9 boards per game.
 
On January 28, Cal won, 76-67, over Hurst at home. Frederickson scored a career-high 28 points, but the Vulcans came away with the victory anyway. Johns scored 22 points, while Chelsea McKnight and Danielle Luckett added 15 apiece.
 
 All 16 PSAC schools will host a game throughout February to raise awareness on behalf of the Women's Basketball Coaches' Association (WBCA).
 
The Lakers will wear all-pink uniforms for the Cal contest and the following game against Edinboro on February 22. All revenue from the games will be donated to the Kimball Family Foundation. Various items will be available at the concession stand, including 'Lakers Bust Up Cancer' T-shirts.
 
For game notes, please click here.