CALIFORNIA, Pa. – The Mercyhurst University men's basketball team defeated California (PA), 52-42, on the road Saturday afternoon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division play. The win is the Lakers' eighth consecutive victory --their longest win streak dating back to the 2010-11 season, when they won 11 straight games. Mercyhurst improves to 14-4 overall, and 11-3 in PSAC play, while the Vulcans fall to 7-13, 4-10 PSAC.
It was a tough start for the Lakers, as they found themselves behind for a majority of the first half.
Malcolm Walters game Mercyhurst their only lead of the opening frame, converting on an old-fashion 3-point play with 4:12 remaining. From there, Cal would finish the half on an 8-2 run and would hold a five point advantage heading into the locker room, 24-19.
The Lakers finished the half shooting only 13 percent (3-of-23) from the field and 2-of-11 from 3-point range.
However, a strong second half surged the Lakers to their seventh road win this season.
The Lakers defense held the Vulcans scoreless for a span of 8:55. During that period, Mercyhurst was able to build a six point lead, 37-31. The 13-0 run was all Mercyhurst needed to pull away from a desperate Cal Vulcans team looking for an upset win.
Mercyhurst would lead by as many as 13 in the second half, before going on to win by 10 – their 11th win by double figures.
After the awful shooting start, Mercyhurst went on to shoot 58.3 percent (14-of-24) from the field in the second half – 36.2 percent (17-of-47) for the game.The Lakers will be travel back home to host Slippery Rock Wednesday, January 27. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
