ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst women's basketball team dropped a 77-70 decision Wednesday night at Pitt-Johnstown. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division loss makes it that more difficult for the Lakers post-season chances, but they are not eliminated with Seton Hill also losing tonight. Mercyhurst will face the Griffins Saturday afternoon in the regular season finale.
Mercyhurst (9-18, 6-15 PSAC) pulled within four of Pitt-Johnstown (10-14, 7-13 PSAC), 74-70, with 24 seconds remaining after
Angela Heintz converted two free-throws. The Lakers were forced to foul, sending the Lady Mountain Cats to line to extend the game. However, they would make three-of-four from the charity stripe down the stretch, to pull away with the victory, ending their nine game losing streak.
Heintz led the Lakers in scoring with 17 points on 6-17 shooting from the field.
Jessica Bell and
Natalie Piaggesi also finished in double figures. Bell added 12 while Piaggesi posted 11.
Alex Artise tied her career-high, grabbing 10 rebounds.
The Lakers would lead early, 4-0, with Piaggesi scoring the first points of the game. She finished off a layup inside, followed by two free-throws on her next trip down the floor. Mercyhurst would never lead again, as the Lady Mountain Cats went on a 10-2 run and never looked back. Mercyhurst would trail by as many as 11 in the first half, but only went into the break down seven, 41-34.
Bell would open up the scoring in the second half, cutting the deficit to five, 41-36. Pitt-Johnstown would later go on a 16-4 run to open up their largest lead of the night at 17, 73-56, with 6:03 to play. Mercyhurst made a run of their own following UPJ's, holding the Mountain Cats to just one point in the final 5:30 minutes of play. The Lakers 14-1 run brought them within four with 24 seconds remaining but could not pull off the comeback.
Mercyhurst finished the game outrebounding the Mountain Cats, 41-39, and grabbed 17 offensive rebounds. The Lakers defense also forced UPJ into 20 turnovers which led to 20 points on the other end. As a team, Mercyhurst finished 38.0% (27-71) from the field and 29.4% (5-17) from three. Pitt-Johnstown shot 46.6% (27-58) and finished 44.4% (8-18) from downtown.
All eight players registered a field goal for the Lakers. Jasmine Harper paced UPJ, scoring 17 points on 6-of-17 shooting from the field.
Mercyhurst will be back in action Saturday afternoon at Seton Hill. Tipoff is slated for 1:00 p.m.
