Box Score

CLARION, Pa.- The Mercyhurst women's basketball team lost, 51-49, at Clarion Wednesday evening. Kristi Ewanick's three-point try at buzzer was off as the Eagles escaped with a key Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division win.
 
The Lakers went ahead 49-43 on an Abby Allen free throw with 1:25 remaining. Mariah Gador scored inside with just over a minute left. Raven Jones grabbed an offensive rebound and was fouled, hitting both to get within two points. After a Laker turnover, Gador hit a baseline jumper to tie the game with 20 seconds left. She then made a steal and passed ahead to Jones, who scored while being fouled with seven seconds left. Ewanick had a look from long range at the horn, but the shot hit the backboard and then the rim before falling into the hands of Hannah Heeter.
 
Clarion jumped out to a 6-0 lead early before Kaylee Foster hit two foul shots. Foster followed with a layup and then Taylor Krusinski connected on two free throws to make it 8-6 with 14:15 left. The hosts regained control and went ahead, 14-6, but then Lindsey Burke got Mercyhurst going. Burke hit threes on consecutive possessions and then made a pair of free throws to get the Lakers within four. Allen hit a trey with 2:31 to go, but Tania Holmes answered with one of her own on the next trip down. The Eagles went up 27-17 with 1:12 remaining in the half.
 
Krusinski finished a three-point play and then Burke hit her third triple of the period with 22 seconds showing on the clock, making it 27-23 at the break.
 
Adrienne Kloecker opened the second half with a trey to make it a one-point contest. She followed with another three-pointer at the 16:22 mark. Alayna White's layup plus one gave the visitors their first advantage of the night with 14:12 left. Paris Thomas scored to stretch the margin, but an Emma Fickel three got Clarion back in it.
 
White hit a basket and Dana Banda connected on a triple to make it 44-39 with 6:56 to play. A Krusinski hoop gave Mercyhurst its largest lead of the match. The teams traded foul shots until the frantic final 90 seconds.
 
Burke finished with 11 points, including three threes. White had nine points and six rebounds and Allen totaled four points, eight boards, and five assists. Jones paced the Eagles with 22 points and four assists. Mercyhurst had the advantage in bench points, 29-6, but Clarion forced 26 Laker turnovers.
 
The Lakers fell to 7-15 overall and 7-11 in the conference. Clarion is now 12-12 overall and 8-10 in the league. Mercyhurst hosts Indiana (Pa.) on Saturday, February 16. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.