Box Score

ERIE, Pa.- The Mercyhurst women's basketball team lost, 75-68, to the University of Findlay in the 2013-14 opener Saturday afternoon at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. Freshman Natalie Piaggesi scored the most points by a freshman in her debut in at least 12 seasons, recording 22 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Lakers.
 
Findlay jumped out to a 17-point lead late in the first half, but Mercyhurst did not quit. The Lakers cut the deficit to 40-32 at halftime and then fought to stay in the contest throughout the second half. A Katie Fischer three-pointer made it 69-65 with 58 seconds left. The Oilers scored on their next possession, but Mariah Penascino hit two free throws to pull within five again. Findlay connected on all four late foul shots to seal the road victory.
 
Fischer opened the day with a trey and then Alayna White scored inside for a 5-0 lead in the first minute. Another White basket made it 7-2 and then Piaggesi made a free throw. She followed with a lay-in for a 10-5 advantage with 15:14 remaining in the period.
 
Karli Bonar hit her first three of the game to cut the lead as the Oilers started a run to take control of the first half. Findlay went on a 26-4 spurt, eventually taking a 31-14 lead on a Bonar trey and two free throws.
 
Piaggesi made a layup and then Fischer converted a pair of free throws to dent the deficit. Laura McCauley then provided a spark off the bench. The senior scored inside twice to make it 33-23 with under four minutes left. White followed with two straight hoops to make it a six-point margin.
 
After a Findlay bucket, Alex Artise split two foul shots. Kaleigh Kenny scored in the final minute, but McCauley sank a pair of free throws with 23 seconds to go, getting the hosts within five points. Bonar capped the frame with a three in the final seconds.
 
The Oilers scored the first seven points of the second half, but Piaggesi kept Mercyhurst alive. The Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, native made a layup, and after an Adrienne Kloecker jumper, finished an and-one to make it 49-39 with 16:26 showing on the clock. Artise connected from deep with 15:34 left, but Bonar hit another trey to keep Findlay in control.
 
Artise nailed another triple in the next minute and then Haley Witchella sank two free throws to pull within seven. Piaggesi then made two foul shots and assisted on a White basket. The freshman hit two more layups, as Kloecker and Fischer assisted on one each. An Oiler lay-in made it 62-55 with 4:57 to play and then the visitors grabbed a 67-55 advantage on two free throws.
 
Piaggesi led with 22 points on 9-15 shooting. She grabbed 12 boards in 35 minutes. White posted 13 points and 14 rebounds. Piaggesi and White are the first Laker teammates to record double-doubles in the same game since December 1, 2004. Julie Anderson and Jessica Olmstead teamed up to pull off the feat at Edinboro.

On Saturday, Fischer added 10 points and Artise scored eight points and pulled down five boards. McCauley tied a career high with six points and Kloecker chipped in with four assists and seven rebounds. Bonar paced Findlay with 20 points in 19 minutes.
 
As a team, the Lakers outrebounded Findlay, 49-32. Mercyhurst grabbed 17 offensive rebounds. The Lakers shot 39.3 percent from the field and hit 16-21 foul shots.
 
The Lakers host Seton Hill in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division opener Wednesday, November 20. The game is set for a 5:30 p.m. start at the MAC.