ERIE, Pa. - Natalie Piaggesi had a double-double, finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds, as the Mercyhurst women's basketball team earned a 56-44 victory over Gannon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference action at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center on Wednesday night. 

Angela Heintz and Jalin Steel added 11 points apiece for the Lakers (16-2, 11-1). Heintz also had four steals while Alex Artise made five steals and Hayley Andres hauled down seven rebounds.

Mercyhurst took a 28-22 lead into halftime and eventually widened the gap to 43-31 early in the fourth quarter. The visiting Lady Knights (4-14, 4-8) closed their deficit to six points on three occasions, but an 8-0 fourth-quarter run by the Lakers helped the hosts pull away.

Maggie Mitchell led Gannon's scorers with 15 points while Lanise Saunders grabbed 11 rebounds.

The Lakers won the turnover battle, committing 11 turnovers to Gannon's 20. As a team, Mercyhurst totaled 15 steals and won the rebound battle, 39-38.

MU will return to action on Saturday when it visits California (Pa.) for a 3 p.m. PSAC contest.