Box Score

EDINBORO, Pa.- The Mercyhurst women's basketball team lost, 64-61, at Edinboro Saturday afternoon. A potential tying three-pointer came up short at the buzzer as four Lakers scored in double figures in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division contest at McComb Fieldhouse.

After falling behind early, the Lakers rallied, cutting their deficit to five at halftime. Edinboro tried to pull away in the second half, but Mercyhurst would not go away. A Fighting Scot free throw made it 50-37 with 10:52 remaining. The Lakers answered with a 12-0 run to turn the game around and make Edinboro work to pull out a victory. 

Mariah Penascino hit a jumper and then Alayna White scored inside to make it 50-41 with 9:53 to play. The Lakers forced two Scot turnovers and then Penascino made a layup. After another defensive stop, Penascino drained a three-pointer from the left corner. Mercyhurst forced another missed shot and then Adrienne Kloecker found Alex Artise for a corner trey, making it 50-49 at the 6:42 mark. 

The hosts came back with the game's next eight points to regain control. Katie Fischer connected on two free throws and then Kloecker sank a jumper. She followed with a split at the foul line, getting the Lakers within four. Edinboro came up empty on its next possession and Penascino hit two foul shots to shrink the margin. Laurel Lindsay finished a three-point play on the other end, but White made a layup to make it 61-58 with 54 seconds remaining.

The Scots missed a free throw on their next trip, but came up with an offensive rebound. Lindsay hit 1-2 at the line for a four-point advantage. Kloecker responded with a key triple with eight seconds showing on the clock. Lindsay converted two free throws and then Fischer's 30-foot heave fell short at the horn.

Kloecker led with 14 points, five assists, and four rebounds. White posted 13 points and four boards, while Fischer scored 13. Penascino added 11 points on 4-4 shooting. Natalie Piaggesi chipped in with four points and seven rebounds.

Edinboro got out to a quick start, going up 5-0 and eventually taking a 19-10 lead with 12:54 remaining in the first half. Fischer hit a three-pointer, but the Fighting Scots scored the next five points to go up, 24-13, at the 10:48 mark.

The Lakers then started a 14-3 run to get back in the contest. Piaggesi hit two shots and then Kloecker sank a trey. Kelley McBroom followed with another triple and then Fischer converted a pair of free throws. After a Boro foul shot, Fischer drained a long two-pointer to make it 27-all with 4:14 remaining in the period.

The hosts took a 33-27 advantage, but White made a free throw and then Fischer followed with two more foul shots, sending Mercyhurst into the locker room with a 35-30 deficit.

Mercyhurst shot 50 percent (22-44) from the field and held Edinboro to 35.7 percent (20-56) on its attempts. The Lakers' bench outscored the Scots' 31-1 on the day.

The Lakers are now 6-17 overall and 4-9 in the PSAC. Edinboro moved to 18-5 overall and 12-1 in the league. Mercyhurst travels to IUP for another Western Division game on Wednesday, February 19.