ERIE, Pa. – With the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division title still within sight, the Mercyhurst University men's basketball team hosts Clarion at 3:00 p.m. Saturday. Before the game, five seniors (
James Ewing,
Kevin Dagg,
Callon Dailey,
Terrence Ingram, and
Paris Bennett) will take the floor for the last time and will be honored for senior day.
Live stats will be available for you to follow along with at the link provided.
Live Stats.
After completing a season sweep over #16 Indiana (Pa.) Wednesday night, 58-55, the Lakers (17-7, 14-5 PSAC) look to win their third straight and complete another season sweep over the Golden Eagles. Mercyhurst still has hopes of being crowned the Western Division champions but trail both Gannon and IUP. The Golden Knights hold a game lead in the division over the Lakers, while IUP is a half game up in the standings. Gannon will host Pitt-Johnstown Saturday, while IUP travels to Edinboro.
Clarion (8-13, 6-12) is still fighting for the sixth spot in the West, as they trail California (Pa.) and Edinboro in the standings. The Golden Eagles, who lost to first-place Gannon 78-71 at home Wednesday, will be eager to upset the Lakers on the road to help their post-season chances.
This is the second meeting of the year between Mercyhurst and Clarion. Mercyhurst took the first game, 69-63, January 14 in Clarion behind 13 points and three steals from
Damon Jones.
Gerrae Williams,
Callon Dailey, and
Andy Hoying all added ten points in route to the Lakers win.
Jones leads the Lakers averaging 10.5 points per game, while Williams follows averaging 10.3. They are the only two players to average double-figures in scoring. The Lakers haven't had a player score more than 13 points in a game since Jones, when he scored 17 points in a win at home against Pitt-Johnstown January 17. Conversely, Mercyhurst continues to perform well on the defensive end, holding opponents to 61.5 points per game which is third best in the PSAC and 10th in the country. The Lakers have not let an opponent reach 60 points in each of the last six games and a team hasn't scored more than 63 points since Millersville on December 20 (87 points).
B.J. Andrews paces the Golden Eagles averaging 13.3 points per game, while Darius Stevens adds 12.2 points and 5.9 rebounds. Clarion is fifth in the country in steals and second in the PSAC averaging 11.29 a game under first year head coach Marcess Williams. Freshman point guard Cameron Grumley was named PSAC Freshman of the week, as he averages 8.1 points, 2.7 rebounds. 2.1 assists and 1.7 steals per game and ranks 15th in the PSAC steals.
The Lakers will play again Wednesday on the road at Pitt-Johnstown. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
