RENSSELAER, Pa.- The Mercyhurst University women's basketball team defeated Hillsdale College, 69-61, Saturday afternoon in game two of the McDonald's Thanksgiving Classic hosted by Saint Joseph's College (Ind.). Three Lakers scored in double figures, to help Mercyhurst improve to 3-4 on the season. The Chargers fall to 3-1 overall.

After a back-and-forth first period, the Lakers trailed the Chargers by three, 22-19. Mercyhurst would take control of the game in the second, holding Hillsdale to only four points. The three leading scorers, Natalie Piaggesi (20), Jessica Bell (17) and Angela Heintz (15), were the only players to score in the second period, accounting for all 16 Mercyhurst points. The trio opened up a 35-26 halftime lead.

Mercyhurst would lead by as many as 15 late in the third, when Bell scored a layup in the paint, to give the Lakers a 55-40 advantage with 2:19 to play. Hillsdale would get as close as seven, but the defense would hold strong, handing the Chargers their first loss of the season. The Laker defense forced 23 Charger turnovers, leading to 26 points on the offensive end. The Lakers finished 7-of-9 from the free throw line down the stretch to help secure their third victory.

The Lakers will be back in action Tuesday, December 1st, when they host Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) foe Edinboro. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. from the Mercyhurst Athletic Center (MAC).