Box Score

INDIANA, Pa.- The Mercyhurst women's basketball team lost, 83-63, at Indiana (Pa.) Wednesday. Four Lakers scored in double figures in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division contest.

With Clarion's loss at #5 Gannon Wednesday, the Lakers remain in a tie for sixth place. Mercyhurst, Clarion, and idle Seton Hill are all 4-10 in the Western Division. Only one of the three teams will qualify for the PSAC Tournament. The Lakers travel to Clarion for a key contest on Sunday afternoon. Seton Hill hosts last-place Slippery Rock on Saturday. 

On Wednesday, IUP hit two three-pointers to take the early lead. A Zhane Brooks layup made it 12-0 with 15:09 left in the first half. Alex Artise got the Lakers on the board with a three-pointer at the 14:41 mark. After another Crimson Hawk three, Alayna White scored inside. 

Down 18-5 with 13:09 left in the frame, Kloecker hit a jumper and White made a layup to trim the deficit. IUP made a three, but Kloecker and Katie Fischer each converted a pair of free throws to make it 21-13 with 9:09 showing on the clock. The hosts scored the game's next five points, but Artise answered with two triples to keep the Lakers in it. A White foul shot made it a six-point margin, but Indiana responded with an 18-1 run to pull away. The Hawks led, 46-24, at the half.

In the second period, Kloecker and White scored early, but Indiana eventually stretched the difference to 27 points. The Lakers fought back, as Fischer sank a jumper and a trey on consecutive possessions, but the home team maintained its margin and picked up the division victory.

Artise led the Lakers with 15 points, while Kloecker scored 13. White and Fischer each added 10 points. Kloecker tallied four assists and four rebounds. 

Mercyhurst fell to 6-18 overall and 4-10 in the Western Division. IUP is 16-8 overall and 7-7 in the conference. The Lakers play at Clarion Sunday, February 23, at 1 p.m.