Box Score

ERIE, Pa.- The Mercyhurst women's basketball team lost, 62-50, to #9 Gannon Wednesday at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. Seniors Dana Banda and Kaylee Foster combined for 28 points in their final home game as Lakers.
 
In the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division contest, Mercyhurst once again hung around for a while, only to watch its opponent pull away for the victory. On Wednesday, the Lakers were down, 30-24, at halftime. Midway through the second period, Banda hit two free throws to cut the deficit to 42-36 with 11:22 left. Gannon answered with two foul shots and then Jennie Thies made a layup. Brittany Batts followed with a three-pointer and Kelley Sundberg scored inside. Another GU free throw stretched the spurt to 10 straight points and gave the visitors a 52-36 lead.
 
After the seven Laker seniors were honored, Banda got things going with a trey 33 seconds into the game. A putback by Abby Allen gave the Lakers an early edge. Jumpers by Kelsey Trosch and Allen kept Mercyhurst close, but Batts sank a triple for a 19-11 advantage with 11:14 to go. Kristi answered with a trey on the trip down. The Erie native drilled another a minute later as the hosts made it 19-17. A Foster three was matched by Mollie Sebald's trey. A pair of Banda foul shots got the Lakers within six at the break.
 
Nettie Blake hit two jump shots to start the second half, but Mercyhurst tried to stay in it. Foster hit 3-4 free throws and a lay-in. Banda scored inside and then hit four free throws to make it 42-36.
 
Banda finished with 16 points and three assists. She is now seven helpers from tying the school's career record. Foster had 12 points and Adrienne Kloecker added 10. Gannon had no players in double figures, but Jen Papich, Sundberg, Thies, and Morgan Neighbors totaled 34 points between them.
 
Mercyhurst fell to 7-17 overall and 7-13 in the PSAC. Gannon is now 24-3 overall and 18-2 in the conference. The Lakers travel to California (Pa.) for another league contest on Saturday, February 23. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.