Box Score

CLARION, Pa.- The Mercyhurst women's basketball team lost, 82-64, at Clarion Sunday afternoon. Alex Artise scored a career-high 21 points in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division game. 

With the loss, the Lakers fell to 4-11 in the Western Division, one game behind Clarion for sixth place. Seton Hill is also 4-11 in the PSAC. If Mercyhurst beats Pitt-Johnstown Wednesday at the MAC, the Lakers can secure a PSAC Tournament berth with losses by Clarion (at Edinboro) and Seton Hill (at California) Wednesday.

On Sunday, Mercyhurst went ahead early, but Clarion gained the lead and took control for the rest of the way. Adrienne 
Kloecker hit a three-pointer and then Laura McCauley sank a jumper. After two Clarion buckets, Kloecker grabbed a rebound and made a layup for a 7-4 lead at the 17:16 mark. She scored again a minute later, with McCauley following with two free throws and an 11-6 advantage. Kloecker hit a jumper and then assisted on a Natalie Piaggesi hoop. Clarion scored, but Piaggesi made another layup for an 18-12 lead with 12:37 remaining in the half.

Kelly Johnson sparked an 11-0 Eagle run with eight straight points of her own, putting the hosts in the lead. At the 7:30 mark, Kloecker drained a jumper to make it 23-20. Two Clarion baskets made it a seven-point difference before Artise hit a trey. Johnson scored, but Artise answered with a bucket. The home team came back with another 11-0 spurt to take control late in the frame. A McCauley foul shot made it 40-26 at halftime.

The Lakers fought back in the second half, as Artise got going and kept the score close. The freshman sank a triple to open scoring in the second period. After a Mariah Penascino lay-in, Artise scored inside and then drained another three, pulling within five points at the 16:55 mark.

After five straight Clarion points, McCauley hit a trey and then Kloecker nailed a jumper while being fouled. She made the ensuing free throw to trim the deficit to 46-42 with 13:20 to play. The Eagles responded with a jumper and a three-pointer to go back up nine, but another Artise three made it 51-45. The hosts scored inside twice before Piaggesi hit a jumper. After another Eagle hoop, Artise swished another trey, making it 57-50 with 9:39 showing on the clock. Clarion answered with two more buckets and the Lakers were unable to cut the deficit from there.

Artise shot 7-13 from the field on her way to 21 points. She hit a career-high five three-pointers and grabbed six rebounds. Kloecker posted 16 points and four assists, while McCauley added a career-best 10 points, along with six boards. Piaggesi scored 10 points and Alayna White pulled down nine rebounds. Johnson paced Clarion with 30 points.

Mercyhurst is now 6-19 overall and 4-11 in the Western Division. Clarion moved to 11-14 overall and 5-10 in the conference. The Lakers close the regular season on Wednesday, February 26, hosting Pitt-Johnstown at 5:30 p.m.