ERIE, Pa. -- The Mercyhurst men's basketball team defeated Lake Erie, 70-64, in non-conference action on Tuesday at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. With the win, the Lakers are off to a 4-0 start -- its first 4-0 start since 2010-11.

Jason Massey was the Lakers' leading scorer with 16 points while Derrick Ellis Jr. finished with 15 and Malik Jones put in 11. Also for the Lakers, Patrick Smith hauled down 11 rebounds while Massey totaled seven boards.

LEC (3-2) had four scorers in double-figures, including leader Gabe Kynard with 17 points. Brogan Scott and David Dunnigan put in 11 each while Kevin Peterson totaled 10.

The visiting Storm took an early 11-6 lead before the Lakers answered with a 17-4 stretch. Massey had five points while Jones and Zach McIntire had four points apiece during that run.

Mercyhurst pushed its lead to nine points before taking a 30-21 advantage into halftime and then led by as many as 11 points during the second half.

On five occasions, Lake Erie trimmed its deficit to one point, but each time, Mercyhurst had an answer. Jones buried a pair of three-pointers on back-to-back possessions when Lake Erie pulled within 37-36 and 40-39. Ellis had a pair of key baskets to increase the Laker lead when they led 35-34 and, later, at 55-54.

The Lakers made their final seven free-throw attempts while holding off the Storm.

Mercyhurst will return to action on Saturday, Dec. 1, with a 3 p.m. contest at PSAC opponent East Stroudsburg.