ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst University women's basketball team used a first-half explosion to outscore Tiffin 91-79 Tuesday night at the Athletic Center. The non-conference win was the Lakers' first in five games while Tiffin, a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, fell to 0-3. The win was also Mercyhurst's first against Tiffin in five meetings.

Mercyhurst shot 61% in the first half as it opened a 60-31 lead at intermission. Ten of the Lakers' 22 first-half field goals came from beyond the arc as junior guard Adrienne Kloecker led the scoring with 22 points. Kloecker shot 9 of 13 from the floor, including 4 of 7 triples. Sophomore Angela Heintz contributed 10 points in the first 20 minutes. Mercyhurst outrebounded Tiffin 20-10 and forced nine Dragon turnovers in the opening half.

The Lakers took their foot off the accelerator in the second stanza as the Dragons made the final score a bit more respectable.

Mercyhurst (1-4, 0-2 PSAC) shot 52% from the floor for the game and featured five players in double figures. Kloecker finished with 31 points including 13 field goals, both career highs. Sophomores Natalie Piaggesi and Katie Fischer joined Heintz with a dozen while sophomore Alex Artise added 10. Piaggesi also grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds.

Mercyhurst outrebounded Tiffin 40-36. Thirteen of the Lakers' 35 field goals were triples. One sour note: Mercyhurst committed 31 fouls in the game and lost three players with five apiece. The Dragons attempted 32 free throws to Mercyhurst's 12.

Bre Nauman led Tiffin with 25 points while Anya Misko tallied 11 and pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds.

The Lakers will celebrate Thanksgiving before traveling to play Findlay (OH) Saturday at 1pm in a non-conference contest.