Box Score

ERIE, Pa.- In an historically low-scoring contest, the Mercyhurst men's basketball team outlasted #24 Gannon, 44-36, Wednesday night at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. The point total is the lowest in program history in a winning effort and the combined score is tied for the lowest in Mercyhurst annals.


 
For the third time this season, the Lakers rallied late in the second half, holding their opponent scoreless in the final minutes. After a Robert Wilson layup at the four-minute mark, Gannon held a 36-34 edge. Mercyhurst shut down the Golden Knights from there, scoring the game's final 10 points to grab a rivalry contest victory.
 
Trailing by two, Luis Leao, playing on senior night, split two free throws with 3:32 remaining. The teams traded missed shots and turnovers until Terrence Ingram was fouled with 1:25 to play. The sophomore stepped to the line and connected on both tries, putting the home team ahead, 37-36.
 
A GU turnover, its 22^nd of the night, gave Mercyhurst possession in the final minute. Leao was fouled and drained both attempts to stretch the lead. Another Knight turnover led to an Andy Hoying lay-in with 33 seconds remaining. Gannon turned the ball over for a 24^th and final time on its next trip. Ingram was intentionally fouled, splitting two shots. Leao sealed the win with two more free throws with 16 seconds showing on the clock.
 
The 44 points in a victory are the fewest in program history. The 80 combined points ties the school record for fewest, matching a 43-37 loss to Fredonia in 1973. The 36 points allowed is the fewest by a Laker outfit since November 19, 1999, when Mercyhurst beat Houghton, 86-33. The 13 second-half points are the fewest given up by Mercyhurst in a period in at least 10 seasons. Gannon's point total is its lowest in over thirty years.
 
That game surely had no resemblance to Wednesday's struggle. Mercyhurst shot 36.6 percent from the field, including 1-11 accuracy from long range. Gannon hit just 31.7 percent of its field goal tries. In the final twenty minutes, the Knights were held to 4-16 shooting. They also committed 24 turnovers as the Lakers took advantage, totaling 24 points off Gannon miscues.
 
Two Knight hoops opened scoring, but Callon Dailey saved the Lakers with a stellar start. The sophomore scored the first 10 Mercyhurst points, as the hosts trailed, 15-10, with 7:37 left in the frame. A Leao jumper inched the Lakers closer, but a Darrell Blanton lay-in and an Oscar Macias three-pointer put the lead back at six for GU.
 
The visitors eventually expanded their lead to 23-14 late in the first half, but Leao and Paul Bilbo each scored inside to get with five at the break.
 
After three minutes of scoreless action to open the second half, Jonathan Ouegnin brought the crowd of 1,094 fans to their feet with a thunderous dunk at the 16:52 mark. He was fouled on the play and converted the ensuing foul shot to make it 23-21 Gannon. Two Ingram free throws evened the score at 23 a minute later. Dailey and Adam Blazek traded buckets and after two GU foul shots, Hoying drained a triple to put the Lakers up a point.
 
Tanner Furno regained the visitors' edge with a lay-in at the 8:57 mark. Jumpers by Leao and Dailey gave the Lakers the edge and then Hoying made two free throws to go ahead by five. The Knights' offense woke briefly after that, as Blanton scored four points and Wilson made a foul shot and the go-ahead basket with four minutes remaining.
 
Dailey hit 7-12 field goal attempts, scoring a game-high 14 points. Leao posted 11 points, eight rebounds, three blocked shots, and two steals. Hoying contributed nine points and five boards off the bench. Blazek paced GU with 12 points on 5-15 shooting.
 
Coach Gary Manchel's squad improved to 16-10 overall and 12-8 in the conference. With Edinboro's loss at Indiana (Pa.) Wednesday, the Lakers moved into sole possession of fourth place in the Western Division. Mercyhurst has two regular season games left, trips to California (Pa.) and Edinboro. The Lakers in control of fourth place and can host a first-round game in the PSAC Tournament with wins in their last two outings.
 
Gannon dropped to 20-6 overall and 14-6 in the PSAC.