ERIE, Pa. — Natalie Piaggesi scored 28 points and tied Mercyhurst's all-time career blocks record as the Laker women's basketball team claimed a 78-72 victory over third-ranked California (Pa.) during Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference action on Wednesday at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.
Piaggesi made three blocks to pull into a tie with Teresa Szumigala, who recorded 170 blocks during her collegiate career (1991-95). Piaggesi also surpassed the 1,500-point mark, becoming just the fourth Laker to accomplish the feat in program history. She was 11 of 16 from the field and 6 of 8 from the free-throw line on Wednesday.
Also for Mercyhurst (21-6, 16-5), Angela Heintz recorded a double-double, finishing with 13 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. Emilee Norris added a career-high 11 points, making 5 of 7 attempts from the field. Norris also had seven rebounds and two blocks while Maria Lapertosa compiled 10 points and seven rebounds.
California (25-2, 19-2) was led by Miki Glenn, who totaled 29 points, seven assists and five steals. Seairra Barrett added 19 points and 10 rebounds while Shatara Parsons put in 16 points.
The Lakers scored the game's first seven points, getting five from Piaggesi, before ending the first quarter with a 14-6 lead. Piaggesi scored 10 points in the first quarter alone. That early Laker lead set the tone for the remainder of the game as Cal only led once itself. Morgan Jennings scored a basket, pushing the Vulcans into a 22-20 lead in the second quarter. The Lakers held the Vulcans to only one basket through the rest of the half and went on a 12-point run to take a 36-24 lead into halftime. That was Mercyhurst's largest lead of the game.
California started the second half with eight straight points -- the beginnings of a 13-1 run -- and trimmed the Laker lead to 38-37. Jalin Steel then made a layup and hit a three-pointer push the Mercyhurst advantage up to six points.
Heading into the fourth, the Lakers led 53-46 and widened the margin to 11 points on three occasions. California chipped away at the lead, coming within four points, but that was as close as the visitors would get. Mercyhurst made 7 of 8 free throws in the final two minutes.
Mercyhurst outshot California from the field, making 26 of 62 attempts, and went 24-for-31 from the free-throw line while holding the Vulcans to 25 of 66 from the field and 18 of 27 shots from the line. The Lakers outrebounded Cal, 45-39.
The Lakers will compete next on Saturday when they visit cross-town rival Gannon for a 1 p.m. PSAC game. The Lakers have clinched a home game in the PSAC Tournament First Round, which will take place on Monday at the MAC.
