ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst University basketball team defeated Houghton College, 88-58, in the first game of the 2015-16 season Friday night at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center (MAC). Damon Jones led all scorers with 22 points.

The Lakers got off to an early 9-0 lead in the first 3:15 of the game. After the hot start, the Highlanders would pull within five, 9-4. Jean Onana would then rattle of five consecutive points, draining a three and a jumper in the paint, to give Mercyhurst a 14-7 advantage.

Mercyhurst would go on a 9-3 spurt to gain their largest lead of the game, 23-10. Sein Beins  drained two jumpers over the five minute stretch run. The Lakers would begin to pull away with under-five minutes to play in the first half. Gerrae Williams would connect on one of his four first half field goals to increase the lead to 20, 43-23. Mercyhurst finished the half shooting 54.5% from the field.

The lead increased further in the second half, while the Lakers would open up a 35 point lead with a Jones layup under five minutes to play. Houghton would cut the deficit to 30, ending the scoring at 88-58.

The Lakers outscored the Highlanders bench 21-10 and 22-6 in the paint. Mercyhurst finished 38-of-64 (59.4%) from the field, and finished a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.

Mercyhurst will host the 2015 National Runner-Up Indiana (Pa.) Wednesday, November 18, at 7:30 p.m. in an early Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) matchup in the MAC.