ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst men's basketball team dropped a 74-68 decision Saturday afternoon against Shippensburg in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover action. With the win, Shippensburg improves to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in PSAC play, while the Lakers fall to 2-1, 1-1 PSAC. Kayode Ajenifuja led Mercyhurst in scoring with a career high 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field.

The Lakers led by as many as 14 points in the first half, leading the Raiders 32-18 at the 6:56 mark. Mercyhurst went on a 16-3 run over a 5:33 stretch. Andy Hoying began the Laker scoring with back-to-back three, banking the first one home.

After a 10-3 spurt by the Raiders, Mercyhurst finished the half with two consecutive buckets, highlighted by an alley-oop from H'ian Hale to Damon Jones with 51 seconds to play in the first. The Lakers went into the locker rooms with an 11 point halftime lead, 41-30.

Shippensburg would rally in the second half as they cut the lead to five, 46-41, 4:08 seconds in. After going on a 14-5 run, the Raiders eventually took their first lead of the contest at the 7:55 mark.

With Mercyhurst hanging on to a two point lead, 66-64, with 2:48 to play, Shippensburg outscored the Lakers 10-2 down the stretch. The only made basket in the final three minutes came from Gerrae Williams on a jumper with 19 seconds remaining.

The Raiders were rewarded 31 free-throws in the second half, after shooting only two in the first. Shippensburg finished 25-of-33 from the line, while Mercyhurst was only 8-of-17.

The Lakers outshot the Raiders for the game, making seven more field goals (27-of-51 / 20-of-46); however, Shippensburg success at the charity stripe helped them to outscore Mercyhurst by 17 in second half.

Mercyhurst will have to regroup quickly for another PSAC crossover game against Kutztown tomorrow, November 22. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center (MAC).