ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst women's basketball team defeated Clarion Saturday afternoon at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center, 70-50. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division win keeps the Lakers in contention for the sixth and final playoff spot entering the final week of the season. Mercyhurst will face off against Pitt-Johnstown Wednesday and Seton Hill Saturday, both on the road, to conclude the season.
Mercyhurst (9-17, 6-14 PSAC) held an eight point lead over the Golden Eagles (2-22, 1-18 PSAC), 56-48, with 4:18 to play before putting the game away. The Lakers ended the contest on a 14-2 run, sparked by
Adrienne Kloecker's third triple of the game. Mercyhurst would go on to score nine points in the final 2:46, to increase their lead to 20, their largest of the game.
Natalie Piaggesi led all scorers with a game-high 26 points on 10-of-16 shooting from the field and pulled down game-high 13 rebounds resulting in her eighth double-double of the season. After today's game, she has now scored over 20 points in back-to-back contests.
The first half was back and forth with both teams matching one another on the other end. Mercyhurst would lead by as many as seven during the first half while there were seven lead changes. The Lakers who hold a one point advantage heading into the break due to a
Kelley McBroom layup with 34 seconds remaining in the half.
The Lakers would finally open up a double-digit lead at the 14:36 mark of the second half, 39-29. A 9-0 helped Mercyhurst increase their lead.
Mariah Penascino started the run, hitting a jumper followed by an
Alex Artise three, to increase the lead to four. Piaggesi would conclude the scoring, producing the last six points during the run. The Golden Eagles would get as close as five the rest of the way, before Mercyhurst finished them off down the stretch.
A dominating performance on the boards helped Mercyhurst come away with their ninth victory of the season. They pulled down 47 rebounds, their second highest output this season (Ursuline – 50), 18 offensive, while Clarion grabbed 30. The Lakers finished 42.4% (28-66) from the floor and assisted on 20 of their 28 made field goals.
Angela Heintz and Kloecker both finished in double-digits along with Piaggesi. Heintz posted 12 while Kloecker added nine. All seven players scored for the Lakers. Tania Holmes paced Clarion, scoring 19 points on 6-of-16 shooting from the field.
Mercyhurst will be back in action Wednesday night at Pitt-Johnstown. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m.
