ERIE, Pa.- The Mercyhurst men's basketball team heads to #12 Indiana (Pa.) for a crucial Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division game on Wednesday, February 19. The contest is slated for a 7:30 p.m. start at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex.
 
Live stats will be available at http://www.sidearmstats.com/iup/mbball/. A live video broadcast will be available at http://iup.nmtvsports.com/. A live audio broadcast will be available at http://www.u92radio.com/U925SportsChannel.aspx.
 
Both Mercyhurst and IUP are 10-3 in the Western Division. Gannon leads the division with an 11-3 record. Due to GU's sweep of Indiana, the Golden Knights hold tiebreakers over both Mercyhurst and IUP. With wins over Clarion and Pitt-Johnstown this week, Gannon clinches the Western Division title and the top seed in the PSAC Tournament. However, if GU stumbles, the winner of Wednesday's Mercyhurst-Indiana game would take over first place.
 
Regardless of Gannon's results, the winner of the Mercyhurst-Indiana contest will have the inside track for the second seed and a bye in the PSAC Tournament. The third and fourth seeds host first-round games in the conference playoffs.
 
The Lakers are 14-9 overall after winning, 62-60, at Edinboro Saturday afternoon. Anthony Lytle scored at the buzzer to finish a game-closing 23-8 Laker run. Mercyhurst trailed, 52-39, with 8:18 remaining before scoring on 10 straight possessions to take a 60-58 edge with 1:31 left. After team came up empty on its next trip, Edinboro hit two free throws to tie the game. The Lakers called timeout with 12 seconds to play. Lytle got the ball on the right block, made a move, and banked in a shot as time expired.
 
IUP is 20-3 overall after falling to Gannon, 67-62, last weekend. Marcel Souberbielle scored 21 points, while Mathis Keita recorded 10 points, six rebounds, and six assists.
 
IUP ranks second nationally in scoring defense, allowing 58.4 points per game. Mercyhurst stands fourth in that same category, giving up 60.4 points. On January 11 at the MAC, Indiana came away with a 53-50 win over the Lakers. Mercyhurst had won its previous three home meetings with IUP. It is the only team to beat the Hawks in each of the last three seasons.
 
Jean Onana is Mercyhurst's top scorer with 9.6 points per game. Jonathan Ouegnin is just behind with 9.5 points. Ouegnin is posting 5.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.7 steals per game-all team highs.
 
Souberbielle and Keita have nearly identical numbers for the Hawks. Souberbielle is scoring 15.8 points, while Keita is averaging 15.5 per game. Souberbielle and Keita are each pulling down 5.6 boards a game.
 
For game notes, please click here.