CALIFORNIA, Pa. – The Mercyhurst women's basketball lost, 77-70, in game two of the PSAC/MEC Conference Challenge against Notre Dame (OH) at the Convocation Center Saturday afternoon. Katie Fischer scored 13 points to lead the Lakers in the non-conference matchup.

Notre Dame would lead for much of the first half, until an inside bucket from Haley Andres pulled the game to within two, 33-31. Fischer would nail a three on the next Laker offensive possession to give them the lead for the first time since the 17:48 mark. The teams would exchange baskets the rest of the way, as Mercyhurst would go into the half tied with the Flacons, 38-38.

With 10:27 remaining in the second half, the Falcons opened up their largest lead of the game. Notre Dame would expand the margin to 11, but the Lakers found a way to pull within one with 4:35 left to play. Fischer would nail another three pointer to pull the Lakers within eight. Two Notre Dame free throws would push the lead back up to double digits, but Angela Heintz would respond with a three pointer of her own to cut the Falcon lead to seven. Fischer would convert a layup to get within five with 6:41 to play.

The Falcons would hit a three on their next offensive possession to go back up eight, but a 7-0 Mercyhurst run would bring the game to a, 61-60, Falcon advantage. After both teams converted on one of two free attempts, Andres got the offensive spurt started with a made jumper, followed by an Adrienne Kloecker three ball. Heintz would finish off a Laker fast break with a layup to bring the score to within one with just a little over four minutes to play.

However, Notre Dame would answer with an 11-2 run of their own to pull away down the stretch. The Falcons increased their lead to as much as ten with 55 seconds to play.

Fischer was three of four from the behind the arc, as she finished with 13 points and three rebounds providing the spark off the bench for the Lakers. Kloecker and Alex Artise both finished with 11 points, while Andres grabbed six rebounds. 

Mercyhurst is now 0-2 this season. Notre Dame improves to 1-1 after losing to California (Pa.) last night. Mercyhurst will head back to the Convocation Center Wednesday, November 19, to face off against Cal in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Division opener. Tipp-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.