ERIE, Pa. – In a game that went down to the wire, the Mercyhurst men's basketball team defeated California (Pa.), 58-57. Gerrae Williams and Sean Beins each scored 13 points to lead the Lakers in scoring.

The first half of play would see three lead changes with Mercyhurst leading by as many as five. With 10:23 to play, Williams would steal a pass from Drew Cook that led to an easy layup on the other end to take a 14-9 advantage. The Vulcans would answer right back on their next possession, draining a three to pull back within two. Both teams would match each other with field goals, until Beins scored six consecutive points to increase the lead back to five, 27-22, with 2:09 remaining. California would end the half scoring the last four points, while Mercyhurst took a one point lead into the break, 27-26.

The Lakers would open up an eight point advantage, their largest of the night, at the 12:48 mark, 44-36. Callon Dailey sparked the Mercyhurst lead. After he drained a jumper to give the Lakers another five point advantage, he would steal a cook pass and take the ball down the court for a one handed slam. Jean Onana would end the 10-3 run on a made jumper.

California would respond with a 10-0 run of their own, taking a two point lead with 9:07 to play. With Mercyhurst struggling to regain the lead, Onana converted an and-one to go up one, 49-48. Mercyhurst would hold a three point lead at the 1:44 mark; then, cook would nail a three to tie the game for the fifth time in the half at 53-53. Onana would answer once again, draining a three of his own on the next Laker possession. Mercyhurst would hold the three point lead with 31 seconds remaining. The Vulcans Khalil Jabbie would knock down a jumper to cut the lead to one and proceeded to foul immediately. After a missing the first of a one-and-one opportunity, California would call timeout with one second on the clock. On the inbound, Cook lobbed the ball to Jabbie for a quick tip in, but the shot rimmed out.

Despite being outrebounded by the Vulcans, 42-25, the Lakers owned the paint, outscoring California, 24-10. Mercyhurst's bench would also dominate, outscoring the opponent, 30-6, and they also forced 18 turnovers.

Mercyhurst improves to 15-5 overall and 12-3 in PSAC play. The Vulcans fall to 12-8, 8-7 PSAC. The win sets up a showdown in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division play at crosstown rival Gannon Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.