ERIE, Pa.- The Mercyhurst men's basketball team will host California (Pa.) in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament first round game on Saturday, March 1. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m. at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.
 
Mercyhurst President's Cards are not valid for playoff games. Tickets for the quarterfinals are $7 for adults, $2 for students.  Students at PSAC member institutions are admitted free with a valid ID.  There are no complimentary passes except for official PSAC passes.

 

Live stats will be available at http://www.sidearmstats.com/hurst/mbball/.  A live audio broadcast will be available at http://sai.calu.edu/wcal/.
 
The winner of Saturday's contest will advance to the PSAC Tournament Quarterfinals and a date at #11 Indiana (Pa.) on Tuesday, March 4.
 
The Lakers went 15-11 overall and 11-5 in the Western Division. Cal posted an 11-15 mark, including a 6-10 league record.
 
In the preseason coaches' poll, Mercyhurst was voted to finish sixth. It finished third in the West, outperforming their predicted finish for a fifth straight year. Coach Gary Manchel also guided his squad to a ninth consecutive winning record and qualified for the PSAC Tournament for a fifth straight time. IUP and East Stroudsburg are the only other PSAC programs to make the last five conference tournaments.
 
Mercyhurst beat Cal twice in the regular season. It won, 64-51, at the MAC in December and then took a 63-56 decision at Cal earlier this month. Jonathan Ouegnin averaged 13.5 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists in the two victories.
 
Jean Onana paced the Laker attack this season, putting up 10.3 points per game. Ouegnin led the team in rebounding (5.0), assists (3.0), steals (1.6), and field goal shooting (54 percent).
 
Tynell Fortune leads Cal with 11.4 points per game. Jake Jacubec, Arman Marks, and Alonzo Murphy also average double figures for the Vulcans.
 
Mercyhurst ranks fourth nationally in scoring defense, allowing 60.8 points per game, good for third in the PSAC. Cal gives up 66.8 points a game, fifth-fewest in the conference.
 
The Lakers are hosting a PSAC Tournament match for the third time. They hosted Slippery Rock at the end of the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons. Cal has advanced to the conference playoffs four straight times. In its previous three appearances, the Vulcans have lost their first outing.
 
For game notes, please click here.