The Mercyhurst women's basketball team will start their season off this weekend by participating in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference vs The Mountain Eastern Conference Challenge facing off against Notre Dame (Oh) and West Liberty, held in South Euclid, Oh. Four total teams will take place in the PSAC vs MEC Challenge, Mercyhurst will be accompanied by California (Pa.) to represent the PSAC while the MEC is represented by Notre Dame (Oh.) and West Liberty.
 
The Lakers are coming off of a 24-8 season (17-5 PSAC), tying the program's win record set in 1994-95 season. Mercyhurst also made its first NCAA Tournament appearance seen 1995. The five seeded Lakers ousted the four seed Shippensburg 63-51, but then fell 86-75 against one seeded California (Pa.).
 
Maria Lapertosa, a junior guard, is the top returner for the team, having played in 30 games, she contributed 8.3 points per game, including 28 three pointers and going 79-for-98 from the free throw line (80.6%). Lapertosa also had six blocks and 22 steals last season.
 
Jamaya Shabazz is the lone senior for the Laker squad, Emilee Norris, a junior forward, rounds out the returning upperclassmen.
 
Mercyhurst recorded victories over both MEC programs in the 2016-17 season defeating Notre Dame 73-48 and moving past West Liberty 69-53.  Notre Dame finished last season with a 15-13 record, while West Liberty finished with a 9-20 record. The Lakers stand at 1-3 in the all-time series against Notre Dame, and 2-4 against West Liberty.
 
Since the start of the PSAC Vs. MEC Challenge in the 2014-15 season, each conference has won the event once and there has been one tie. The series has rotated hosts each year between California, West Liberty, Mercyhurst and now Notre Dame. In the first season, the conferences tied 2-2. In the second season, the MEC came out on top 3-1 and in last year the PSAC teams swept going 4-0.

Mercyhurst has a 2-4 record in the PSAC vs MEC Challenge while Notre Dame has a 2-4 record and West Liberty sits at 3-3.
 
Mercyhurst will start play by taking on Notre Dame (Oh.) on Saturday night at 6 pm and then will take on West Liberty on Sunday at 2 pm.
 

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