SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Mercyhurst women's basketball team fell 60-57 to Slippery Rock in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference action on Wednesday.
 
The Lakers were led by Maria Lapertosa who posted 25 points, eight rebounds and four steals. Lapertosa made a career-high of 15 free throws during.

Vivian Allison added ten points while Emilee Norris was the Lakers' leading rebounder with 10 boards. Norris also had four blocks. Emily Shopene led the assists department with six.
 
Brooke Hinderliter led Slippery Rock with 14 points. Madison Henderson contributed 10 points and eight rebounds.

Mercyhurst took an early 10-5 lead before the host Rock bridged a 21-2 run against the first and second quarters. That stretch helped SRU take a 39-22 lead into halftime.

The Rock (7-5, 5-2) pushed its lead to 21 points in the second half, but a 14-2 run across the third and fourth periods enabled the visiting Lakers to close the deficit. Lapertosa had eight points and Allison put in five during that run.

A layup by Lapertosa pulled the Lakers within 54-49 with 6:40 to go. Slippery Rock responded with a six-point run, but then Mercyhurst -- with six from Lapertosa -- came back with an 8-0 stretch to close the gap to 60-57.

The Lakers held Slippery Rock without a basket on the next possession, but then two MU shots missed their mark. The Rock regained possession, but missed a pair of free throws to set the stage for Mercyhurst's final possession. Lapertosa missed a potential game-tying three on the game's final shot.

Mercyhurst outrebounded SRU, 52-43, but struggled from the field, making 16 of 61 attempts (26.2) and 4 of 19 from three-point land (21.1). Mercyhurst was strong from the field (84.0). The Rock was 23 of 67 (34.3), 1 of 11 (9.1) and 13 of 24 (54.2), respectively.
 
The Lakers (5-7, 3-3) will play next on Saturday when they take to the road to play PSAC opponent Indiana (Pa.) at 5:30 p.m.