CLARION, Pa. -- Malcolm Walters scored a career-high of 25 points as the Mercyhurst men's basketball team claimed a 72-65 win against Clarion during Wednesday's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference contest.

Walters finished 8 of 16 from the field, including 5 of 11 from three-point distance, and 4 of 6 from the free-throw line. He also had five rebounds, two assists and one steal.

Lorenzo Collier added 14 points while Derrick Ellis Jr. compiled nine points, seven assists and two steals for the Lakers (10-9, 7-8). Leading rebounder Patrick Smith grabbed 11 boards.

Mercyhurst jumped ahead, 14-4, in the first half, getting 11 points from Walters in that stretch. Walters, who previously set new career-highs of 24 and 23 earlier this season, hit three 3-pointers during the run.

After Walters' scored the first 11 for Mercyhurst, Collier hit a three of his own.

After that, the Lakers took a 34-30 advantage into halftime. The margin fluctuated between three and 10 points; both times host Clarion pulled within three, Ellis gave MU more room with a three-pointer.

Clarion's (3-19, 0-16) top performers were Cameron Grumley and Khari Williams, who scored 20 and 16 points, respectively.

Mercyhurst was 25 of 61 from the field (41.0 percent), including 11 of 24 from three (45.8). The Lakers held a 45-30 rebound advantage.

MU will return to action on Saturday with a 5 p.m. PSAC game against Shippensburg.