Box Score
EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa.- The Mercyhurst men's basketball team lost, 60-54, at #12 East Stroudsburg Saturday afternoon. The Lakers fell despite holding the Warriors to a season-low 28.3 field goal percentage in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover at Koehler Fieldhouse.
A 14-3 run midway through the first half propelled the Lakers to a halftime lead. Down 12-8 with 14:35 left in the period,
Jean Onana got things going with a jumper. He then assisted on a
James Ewing layup.
Jonathan Ouegnin sank two free throws and then found
Anthony Lytle for a dunk, putting the visitors ahead, 16-12, with 10:02 remaining. Ouegnin finished in the lane to expand the lead before ESU hit a three. Lay-ins by
Paul Bilbo and Lytle gave Mercyhurst a 22-15 advantage at the 7:27 mark.
After four Warrior free throws, Bilbo scored with 5:08 to play, giving the Lakers a 24-19 edge.
H'ian Hale converted a pair of foul shots and then Onana hit a jumper to close the first frame with Mercyhurst up, 28-24.
ESU opened the second half on a 13-0, gaining control of the match. The Lakers tried to rally back, though. Bilbo's layup with 13:09 left got Mercyhurst on the board and cut the deficit to 37-30. Onana hit two free throws and then Ouegnin made a lay-in, making it 41-36 at the 10:08 mark. Ewing scored inside and Dailey sank two foul shots, pulling within six as the half continued.
A Dailey hoop with just over four minutes to play made it 51-46. The hosts made a free throw and a jumper to regain their margin, but Onana made a layup at the 1:55 mark, cutting the deficit to 54-48. Just over a minute later, Onana drained a trey to make it a one-possession contest. East Stroudsburg with six straight points to seal the outcome.
The Lakers contained the Warriors to a season-low 60 points. ESU entered the game scoring over 90 points a game. Mercyhurst forced ESU into 15-53 field goal shooting, including 2-18 accuracy from long range.
Onana led with 15 points, while Bilbo registered 11 points and nine rebounds. Dailey added six points, six boards, and four blocked shots. Whis Grant led ESU with 19 points on 12-15 foul shooting.
Mercyhurst is now 5-5, while East Stroudsburg moved to 11-0. The Lakers play at West Chester in another PSAC crossover on January 3, 2014. The contest is set for a 3 p.m. start.
