ERIE, Pa. -- The Mercyhurst men's basketball team will host cross-town rival Gannon on Saturday for a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference contest. The latest Porreco Pride of Erie game is slated for 3 p.m.

The Lakers (12-11, 9-10) lost in their last outing, dropping a 73-71 overtime decision at California (Pa.) on Wednesday. They are 5-3 in their last eight games. Mercyhurst is one win -- or one Cal loss -- from clinching a spot in the PSAC Tournament.

Gannon has won its last three games, including a 75-66 contest at home against Indiana (Pa.) on Wednesday. The Golden Knights defeated California and Edinboro last week.

Mercyhurst and Gannon met earlier this season at GU as the host Knights won, 61-52, on Jan. 17. The Lakers closed within five points after trailing by 19, but ultimately fell at the Hammermill Center.

Malcolm Walters ended with 18 points and three steals while Lorenzo Collier put in 17 points and Patrick Smith grabbed eight rebounds for the Lakers.

Damon Miraud and Zay Jackson had 14 points apiece for Gannon (12-5, 8-3 PSAC), which won its eighth straight game. Evan Phoenix had a double-double, totaling 11 points and 11 rebounds. Miraud was the contest's Game Changer Award recipient.

In 2017-18, the Lakers have been led by Collier and Walters, who are averaging 15.9 and 14.2 points per game, respectively. Collier ranks ninth in the PSAC in 3-pointers per game (2.5). Walters also averages 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists.

Smith has seven double-doubles in 2017-18 and averages 8.4 points and 8.6 rebounds. He ranks sixth in the PSAC in boards.

Ellis leads MU in assists with 3.5 per game while averaging 7.1 points and 1.8 steals. He is seventh in the PSAC in steals.

Zach Jackson has been Gannon's leading scorer, averaging 14.8 points, while Jair Green and Evan Phoenix put in 13.4 points each. Phoenix ranks fifth in the PSAC in rebounds (8.8) and sixth in field-goal percentage (.535).

Gannon and Mercyhurst rank first and second in the PSAC in defense, allowing 64.6 and 65.0 points per game, respectively. They rate 10th and 11th in NCAA Division II.

Mercyhurst currently sits in sixth place in the PSAC West division -- three games ahead of seventh-place California.

Gannon has won the last three games between the Erie rivals.