ERIE, Pa.- The Mercyhurst men's basketball team hosts Clarion Wednesday, February 8, in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division contest. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.
 
Live stats will be available at http://www.sidearmstats.com/hurst/mbball/index.htm. An America One broadcast will be available at http://www.b2livetv.com/partner_members.asp?id=16.
 
The Lakers lost 73-71 in overtime, at Slippery Rock in their most recent outing. Luis Leao scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the defeat. Hurst is now 14-6 overall and 12-4 in the PSAC Western Division. It is two games behind Indiana (Pa.) for the division lead. Coach Gary Manchel's squad has a two-game lead over Slippery Rock and Clarion, who are tied for third place.
 
Clarion is coming off a 68-65 loss at IUP February 4. Paul McQueen recorded 15 points and eight rebounds in the loss. The Golden Eagles are 14-8 overall and 10-6 in the league. Freshman Winfield Willis leads a balanced attack with 16.8 points per game. McQueen averages 15.4 points and 7.5 rebounds a contest. Coach Ron Righter's team features three of the top 16 scorers in the conference.
 
Clarion won, 71-66, over Mercyhurst at home on January 11. Callon Dailey led Hurst with 18 points and four steals, while Bill Weaver posted 16 points and eight boards. Calvin Edwards hit 10-13 free throws on his way to 16 points, while McQueen added 14 points and nine rebounds.
 
This game pits the two top three-point shooting teams in the conference, as Mercyhurst leads the PSAC with 38.1 percent accuracy and Clarion is in second at 37.3 percent shooting from deep. The Lakers hit 8.7 threes a game as well, good for first in the PSAC. Jamal Turner directs the league's best ball handling group as Hurst paces the conference in assists (17.1), turnover margin (+3.95), and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.3).
 
For game notes, please click here.