Box Score

ERIE, Pa.- The Mercyhurst women's basketball team lost, 71-63, to Bloomsburg Wednesday at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. Natalie Piaggesi led with 20 points in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover contest.
 
Trailing 31-23 at the half, the Lakers made their move. Piaggesi hit a jumper in the lane and then Jessica Bell assisted on a Katie Fischer three-pointer at the 18:49 mark, making it 31-28. The Huskies came back with three foul shots, but a pair of Bell layups pulled the Lakers within two at the 16:44 mark.
 
After a Bloom free throw, Alayna White scored inside to make it 35-34 with 14:56 to play. The teams swapped a free throw before the visitors scored four straight points for a 40-35 advantage. Piagessi converted two foul shots and then Fischer found White for a basket to make it 41-39 Bloom.
 
The Huskies scored on the other end, but Hayley Andres hit Piaggesi for a lay-in to keep the deficit at two with 11:49 showing on the clock. Piaggesi's layup from Mariah Penascino tied the game. White split two free throws, putting the Lakers ahead, 44-43, at the 10:41 mark. Catherin Noack answered with a layup before White made another free throw to even the score at 45.
 
The Huskies scored the next four points, but Fischer drained a jumper to make it 49-47 with 7:48 remaining. Bloom went on a 9-0 run to take control from there, and the Lakers could not dent the margin as time ran down.
 
Piaggesi finished with 20 points on 8-11 shooting. White recorded 15 points and nine rebounds off the bench. Fischer added nine points, while Bell registered seven points and seven boards. Adreana Sadowski led Bloom with 17 points and six rebounds.
 
Mercyhurst shot 22-50 (44 percent) from the floor. The Huskies hit 22-45 (48.9 percent) of their attempts. The Lakers held a 36-26 advantage in paint points.
 
The Lakers dropped to 2-7 this season. Bloom is 7-2 on the year. Mercyhurst travels to East Stroudsburg for another PSAC crossover on Saturday, December 21.