JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – The Mercyhurst University men's basketball team dominated Pitt-Johnstown, 89-37, in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division matchup Saturday afternoon at the Sports Center in Johnstown, Pa. The 52 point victory marks the largest margin of victory for the Lakers this season and is Mercyhurst's fifth consecutive victory. The win improves the Laker's record to 11-4 overall and 8-3 in PSAC play. The Mountain Cats fall to 9-5, 6-4 PSAC.

Midway through the first half, the Lakers held a five point lead, 17-12, before finishing the final 10 minutes outscoring the Mountain Cats 23-7. Mercyhurst would take a 21 point lead into the locker room after H'ian Hale converted a three pointer, his only basket of the game, with 40 seconds to play. Kayode Ajenifuja led the Lakers in scoring in the opening frame with 11 points on 5 of 6 shooting from the field.

Pitt-Johnstown didn't record their first basket of the second half until four minutes in, but by then, Mercyhurst had already opened a 31 point lead. The 12-0 run to begin the half put a stamp on the game, as the Mountain Cats were unable to pull back with 30 the rest of the way.

The 37 points let up by the Lakers was the lowest output they have allowed any opponent to score all season while also shooting a season best 34 of 49 (69.4%) from the field and making 13 of 21 (61.9%) threes, also a season-high.

The Laker defense held the Mountain Cats to only 25.5% (13 of 51) shooting from the field and outrebounded Pitt-Johnstown by eight, 32-24.

Ajenifuja led all scorers with 17 points while three other Lakers also posted double figures scoring. Damon Jones (16), Andy Hoying (13), and Gerrae Williams (12) all posted double figures scoring and Hale dished out a personal career-high nine assists.

Mercyhurst will travel to Seton Hill Wednesday, January 13, for another PSAC Western Division game. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.