ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst men's basketball team fought to stay in the game at Slippery Rock Wednesday night, but were defeated at Morrow Field House, 56-51. The loss marks the first time the Lakers have lost back-to-back games since the beginning of the season. Jean Onana led the Lakers in scoring with 12.

Both teams had rough shooting nights from the field, especially in the first half. Mercyhurst would shoot 28.6% (8-28) from the field in the first but go onto hold The Rock to just 24.1% (7-29). The Lakers would again get off to a slow start, not recording their first goal until the 13:44 mark, when Damon Jones found his way through the paint for a layup.

With Slippery Rock up by six, 8-2, at the 9:25 mark, Mercyhurst would go on an 8-1 spurt to take their first lead of the game, 10-9. Paris Bennett was the Laker who sparked the run, scoring six of his nine points during the stretch.

Mercyhurst would take their largest lead of the night, 19-16, with just over a minute to play in the half. Jones would finish off a fast break layup that was assisted by Kayode Ajenifuja to complete their scoring. Slippery Rock would finish off the half scoring the final four points and took a one point advantage into the break, 20-19.

Coming out of halftime, Slippery Rock opened up the scoring, to increase their lead to five until Callon Dailey raddled off five consecutive points to tie the game at 24. The Rock would answer, as they opened up their largest lead of the game, 37-29, with 11:23 to play.

Mercyhurst responded, erasing Slippery Rock's eight point lead to tie the game once again at 43 with 5:03 remaining. Onana would give Mercyhurst the lead, 46-43, after he knocked down one of his two three pointers. Both teams would share baskets down the stretch, a half that saw six ties and six lead changes.

With the score tied at 51 and 50 seconds showing on the clock, Mercyhurst would see the game slip away, as Onana forced a shot in the air looking for a foul that was not called and a shot clock violation would give the Rock the ball back. Coach Manchel would then get charged with two technical fouls for arguing with the referees that would send Slippery Rock to the foul line to finish off the game. The Rock would make 5 free-throws in the final 50 seconds to secure the victory.

Mercyhurst finished the game shooting 32.1% (18-56) from the field and were out rebounded by the countries best, 45-35.

With the loss, the Lakers fall to 15-7 overall and 12-5 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) play. Slippery Rock improves to 16-7 overall, 11-6 PSAC.

Mercyhurst will take the floor again Saturday, when they play host to Edinboro at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center (MAC). Tipoff is set for 3:00 p.m.