Kutztown, Pa. – The Mercyhurst women's basketball team lost to Kutztown, 78-69, in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference action on Saturday. The loss is the Lakers' first defeat in league play this season.
Maria Lapertosa recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Lakers (3-5, 2-1). Amber Renz was the leading scorer with 16 points and Emilee Norris contributed 10. Emily Shopene contributed six steals and three assists.
Kutztown was led by Alexis Smith's 15 points while Keifonna Ferguson and Jenna Widdicombe each contributed 12 points. Ferguson also led rebounds with 10.
Mercyhurst took an early 8-2 lead, getting points from four different players.
Kutztown eventually pushed back when an 11-2 stretch, beginning with a barrage of three-pointers. Alexis Smith connected for a three, Zoe Zerman hit a three and then Smith hit another during that stretch.
The host Bears led 19-15 through the first quarter and pushed further to 23-15 before the Lakers came back with a 10-2 run to tie the game at 25-all.
A layup by Amber Renz put MU ahead, 29-27, with 3:15 remaining in the second period, giving Mercyhurst its last lead. Kutztown answered to take a 35-33 advantage into halftime.
The Bears (5-3, 1-2) remained ahead the rest of the game. They led by as many as 14 points in the fourth quarter.
Mercyhurst held a 42-28 edge in rebounds and shot 25 of 50 from the field (50.0 percent) and 4 of from three-point land (21.1). The Lakers were also strong from the free-throw line, making 15 of 18 (83.3). KU was 29 of 70 (41.4), 8 of 29 (27.6) and 12 of 14 (85.7), respectively.
The Lakers struggled in the turnover department, giving the ball away 24 times. Kutztown had only eight turnovers.
Mercyhurst will play again on Sunday when they travel to Mansfield to compete in PSAC play at 1 pm.
