ERIE, Pa. -- The Mercyhurst women's basketball team fell, 70-64, against Seton Hill in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference play on Wednesday night. 

Natalie Piaggesi led Mercyhurst (19-6, 14-5) with 20 points and seven rebounds while recording the only two blocks of the game. Alex Artise added 11 points and five assists. Angela Heintz also made five assists.

Alexandra Hay was the leading scorer for Seton Hill, posting 20 points and six steals. She was followed by Jenna Kaufman, who scored 15, and Lindsey Mifsud, who added 10. Chrisanna Green pulled down 12 rebounds.

The Lakers (19-6, 14-5) appeared to be in command early, taking a 14-5 lead, but SHU scored 13 straight points to go up, 18-14.

Mercyhurst took a 25-24 halftime lead before the visiting Griffins (15-11, 11-9) outscored Mercyhurst, 28-14, in the third quarter and held onto their lead the rest of the way. SHU went on a 19-2 run to build its largest lead at 50-33 in the third.

The Lakers pushed back, eventually closing their deficit to 64-61 during the final minute, but that was as close as they got. Seton Hill went 9 of 10 from the field during the final three minutes.

Seton Hill held an edge at the backboard, pulling down 41 rebounds while the Lakers claimed 30.  The Griffins outshot the Lakers, making 21 of 52 attempts from the field and 10 of 27 from beyond the arc. The Lakers converted 24 of 62 attempts from the floor, made 8 of 27 from three-point land, and shot a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. 

Mercyhurst will be back in action against Edinboro on Saturday for a 1 p.m. tip-off at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.