CLARION, Pa. – The Mercyhurst women's basketball team defeated Clarion 61-51 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference competition on Wednesday.
 
Maria Lapertosa led Mercyhurst (9-12, 7-8) with 14 points, five rebounds and two steals. Emilee Norris finished with eight points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. Stephanie Petery contributed nine points to the scoreboard for the Lakers.
 
Tynita White and Jordan Bekelja both contributed 10 points apiece for Clarion (7-15, 2-14). Yasmin Lewis hauled down nine rebounds.
 
The Lakers went on an 11-point run at the end of the first quarter, going from a 10-7 deficit to an 18-10 lead through the first ten minutes of action. Mercyhurst earned points from three different players on this drive: Lapertosa (5), Jamaya Shabazz (4), and Norris (2). Norris also had two blocks during the run.
 
Mercyhurst never trailed from this point, stretching its lead to as high as 55-39 with 7 1/2 minutes left in the game. Mercyhurst earned this lead by going on a 13-point streak, led by Petery, who had six of her nine points during this run. Clarion brought the action within seven points later on, but was unable to recapture the lead.
 
Mercyhurst went 23-of-49 (46.9%) from the field, 8-of-17 (47.1%) from three point land, and 7-of-9 (77.8%) from the free point line.
 
The Lakers held a slight advantage at the glass grabbing 35 rebounds to the 30 claimed by Clarion. Mercyhurst held an edge in second chance points 11-5.
 
The Lakers will play again next when they host Shippensburg in conference action on Saturday in the Mercyhurst Athletic Center at 3 p.m.