ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst University men's basketball used a 15-0 run to end the first half and went on from there to defeat visiting Seton Hill, 70-50, in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Division game Wednesday night at the Athletic Center. The Lakers won their fifth straight and improved their overall record to 14-5 and their conference ledger to 11-3. Seton Hill dropped to 6-11 and 5-8 respectively.

The Lakers trailed 10-4 six minutes into the half, but outscored the Griffins 28-8 the rest of the way, getting the final 15 points before intermission. Mercyhurst's bench produced 21 first-half points, led by 6-7 graduate student Paris Bennett's 10. Griffin reserves were held to only two.  Mercyhurst also enjoyed a 27-15 advantage on the glass in the first half and forced ten Seton Hill turnovers.  

Seton Hill got back into the contest with a 12-0 run in the first four minutes of the second half to pull within 32-30. But the Lakers righted the ship and built their biggest lead at 70-46 with 90 seconds to play.

Eleven players scored for Mercyhurst, whose bench had a sizeable 35-12 advantage in points. The Lakers also outrebounded the Griffins 42-28, including a 22-8 margin on the offensive boards.

Senior guard Callon Dailey paced Mercyhurst with 13, followed by redshirt-junior Gerrae Williams and Bennett with a dozen each. Bennett led the Lakers with eight boards while the defense forced 19 turnovers.

Kameron Taylor led Seton Hill with 16. Noah Davis had 12 while Spencer Casson led all rebounders with eight and contributed six blocked shots.Mercyhurst will rest until Wednesday, the 28th, when PSAC West-rival California University of Pennsylvania visits the Athletic Center for a 7:30 contest.