SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- The Mercyhurst men's basketball team suffered a 77-57 loss to Slippery Rock in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference play on Wednesday.

Malcolm Walters was Mercyhurst's leading scorer with 12 points. Patrick Smith grabbed 12 rebounds.

For Slippery Rock, Khyree Wooten and Christal Malalu had 16 points apiece. Bruce Spruell put in 13 points and Micah Till grabbed 11 rebounds.

Fueled by Derrick Ellis Jr., who scored the game's first six points, the Lakers (5-5, 2-4) took an 11-2 lead, but an eventual 12-0 SRU run in the first half helped the host Rock take the lead for good.

Slippery Rock held a 40-29 advantage at halftime and held the lead in double-figures the rest of the way.

SRU (11-2, 5-2) outrebounded the Lakers, 46-35.

Mercyhurst struggled from the field, finishing 19 of 63 (30.2 percent), including 3 of 16 from three-point territory (18.8). The Lakers were 16 of 21 from the free-throw line (76.2). The Rock was 29 of 61 (47.5), 7 of 17 (41.2) and 12 of 21 (57.1), respectively.

The Lakers will return to action on Saturday with a 7:30 p.m at PSAC opponent Indiana (Pa.).