CLARION, Pa. – The Mercyhurst University women's basketball team dropped a 62-55 decision at Clarion Saturday night in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division action. With the loss, the Lakers fall to 11-13 overall and 9-9 in league play, while the Golden Eagles improve to 8-16, 8-10 PSAC.

Turnovers hurt the Lakers all game as Mercyhurst finished with 21. The Golden Eagles finished the game with 14 steals and finished the game with 19 points off the Mercyhurst miscues.

After trailing by seven at the end of the first period, Mercyhurst went on to outscore Clarion 19-4 in the second, leading them to a 32-24 halftime advantage.

In the second period, it was the Lakers who generated points off of turnovers. Mercyhurst finished with seven points off turnovers and scored 10 points in the paint. Alex Artise closed the half draining a three as time expired, to open the eight point halftime lead.

Jessica Bell's layup to open the second half gave Mercyhurst their largest lead of the game, 34-24, before Clarion went on a 7-0 run to pull within three with 5:31 to play in the third. The Lakers remained ahead going into the fourth, leading the Golden Eagles by five, 42-37.

Clarion went on a 16-2 run to put the game away in the fourth. The Golden Eagles started the fourth period with a full court press that forced the Lakers into seven turnovers, resulting in 11 points for the Golden Eagles.

Mercyhurst finished the game shooting 44.2 percent (23-of-52) from the floor and held a slight rebounding advantage, 35-34.

Natalie Piaggesi led the Lakers in scoring with 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field, while Adrienne Kloecker (12) and Bell (10) also recorded double figures.

The Lakers will resume play Saturday, February 13, at home against Pitt-Johnstown. The game is part of National Women in Sports Day at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.