KUTZTOWN, Pa. - The Mercyhurst University women's basketball team endured a rough first half and could not dig itself out, losing 76-53 at Kutztown University's Keystone Arena on Sunday afternoon. With the loss, the Lakers fell to 3-11 overall and 1-8 in the PSAC West standings. The Golden Bears improved to 5-7 overall and 4-5 in the Eastern Division.

Mercyhurst trailed 22-18 with 10:24 left in the opening half before the Golden Bears went on a 32-5 run to head to the locker room with a 54-23 halftime advantage. Turnovers proved costly for the Lakers in the opening twenty minutes as Mercyhurst, which shot 50% from the field in the first half, turned the ball over 16 times - compared to Kutztown's three. More than half of Kutztown's first half points (29) came off of Mercyhurst turnovers.

Sophomore Natalie Piagessi, who finished with her fourth double-double of the season, had six points, five rebounds, and two blocks to lead the Lakers in the first half. Kutztown's Kelsey Watson had a monster first half, leading the Golden Bears with 13 points and nine boards in just 14 minutes of action. Jenna Altomare sparked the hosts by providing 11 points in just nine minutes off the bench.

Kutztown jumped out to a 6-0 lead before Mercyhurst responded with a three-pointer by junior Adrienne Kloecker and a basket by Piagessi to cut the lead to 6-5. After a 16-7 run by the Golden Bears to go in front 22-12, the Lakers again fought back to cut the lead to four on back-to-back baskets by sophomore Jessica Bell and another hoop from Piagessi prior to the second media timeout of the half.

That, however, would be as close as the Lakers would get as Kutztown scored ten of the game's next 11 points to take a 32-19 lead with 7:45 remaining in the opening half. Sophomore Mariah Penascino cut the lead to 32-21 before Kutztown scored the next five points to extend its lead to 37-21. Sophomore Angela Heintz' basket with 5:48 left in the opening half proved to be Mercyhurst's final points of the first 20 minutes as Kutztown closed on a 17-0 run for the first half margin.

Things got no better for the Lakers at the outset of the second half as the Golden Bears started on a 10-4 run to extend its lead to 37 points, 64-27, with 14:30 left. But, Mercyhurst did not quit, as it went on an 18-0 run to cut the lead to 64-45 with 6:30 remaining. The Lakers got the score to as close as 69-53 with three minutes remaining but the first-half hole was too much to overcome. Kutztown scored the last seven points of the game for the final margin.

Heintz led the Lakers with 13 points and six rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench. Freshman Hannah Centea also had nice minutes off the bench, chipping in eight points, on 3-of-4 shooting, in 18 minutes. Piagessi had ten points, ten rebounds, and four blocks for her fourth double-double of the season. Kloecker, the Lakers' second leading scorer entering the contest, was held to just three points in only 14 minutes.

Watson led four Golden Bears in double figures with 19 points while also pulling down a game-high 13 rebounds, including seven offensive boards. Brianna Morales had 14 points while Altomare and Natalya Lee had 11 points apiece.

Mercyhurst will return to the Mercyhurst Athletic Center on Wednesday, January 7 when it hosts Mansfield. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.