CLARION, Pa.  – The Mercyhurst women's basketball team came away with their third consecutive victory Wednesday night at Clarion, 53-41. Jessica Bell and Alex Artise both scored 12 points to lead the Lakers to their fourth Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) win.

Mercyhurst jumped out to an early 8-2 lead with Adrienne Kloecker scoring the first five points of the contest. Artise added one of her two made three-point field goals at the 17:12 mark to give the Lakers a six point advantage.

With the Lakers holding on to a one point lead midway through the first, 12-11, Natalie Piaggesi sparked a 9-3 run converting on back-to-back field goals. A Katie Fischer three-pointer followed by a Mariah Penascino layup gave Mercyhurst their largest lead of the half, 21-14, with 4:13 remaining in the half. The Golden Eagles would respond with a 7-2 spurt to close out the final four minutes. Mercyhurst would take a two point advantage into the break, 23-20.

Four Bell points to open up the second half put the Lakers back up six, 27-21. Clarion would tie the game at 27 before Hannah Centea delivered a beautiful behind the back pass to Artise for an easy layup that ignited a 17-5 run. Artise and Bell combined for 11 points over the stretch that saw their lead extend to 12, 44-32. Mercyhurst would lead by as many as 17 with 4:48 to play.

The Lakers pressed the Golden Eagles to throughout the second half and forced 17 turnovers. They were rewarded on the other end of the floor by capitalizing on the Clarion miscues, scoring 24 points off the Golden Eagle turnovers.

Mercyhurst shot 40.8% (20-49) from the floor and never trailed in the contest. The defense held Clarion to 30.6% (15-49) shooting and outrebounded the Golden Eagles, 53-41.
With the win, the Lakers improve to 6-11 overall and 4-8 in PSAC play. Clarion falls to 1-15, 0-11 PSAC.

Mercyhurst will travel back home to face Pitt-Johnstown Saturday at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. Tipoff is set for 1:00 p.m.