CLARION, Pa. - The Mercyhurst women's basketball team won its eighth straight game, claiming a 67-59 victory over Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference opponent Clarion on Friday.

Natalie Piaggesi led the Lakers with 21 total points and three steals. Angela Heintz added 15 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.

Also for Mercyhurst (13-1, 7-0), Jessica Bell contributed 10 points and Alex Artise pulled down 10 rebounds.

Clarion's Tyra Polite led all scorers with 34 points. She also had three steals.

Mercyhurst never trailed after opening the contest with a 10-2 run. The Lakers held a 23-10 advantage through one quarter, getting eight points from Piaggesi during the period, before pushing the gap to 18 in the second.

The host Golden Eagles (9-5, 6-2) closed the first half with a 17-4 stretch, including the half's final 11 points, to trim their deficit to 41-36.

Clarion continued to chip away at the margin in the third quarter, closing within three points, before Mercyhurst enjoyed a 7-0 run to push its lead back to 50-40. After that, the Eagles pulled within six points on two more occasions in the third before Mercyhurst cruised to victory in the fourth.

Mercyhurst was 28 of 60 from the field (46.7 percent) and a perfect 7 of 7 from the free-throw line (100.0) while Clarion finished 21-for-55 (38.2) and 7 of 11 from the line (63.6). Neither team was strong from three-point land: the Lakers were 4-for-17 (23.5) and the Eagles went 10-for-30 (33.3). Mercyhurst outrebounded Clarion, 39-28.

The Lakers will return to play on Monday when they host Indiana (Pa.) for a 5:30 p.m. PSAC contest.