ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst women's basketball team defeated Pittsburgh-Johnstown in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference play on Wednesday at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.
 
Eliza Oswalt posted a career-high of 22 points to lead Mercyhurst (10-17, 8-13). Emilee Norris added 12 points and five rebounds. Lauren Lapertosa had six rebounds and six assists.
 
Pittsburgh Johnstown (10-17, 7-15) was led by Alexis Hartwick, who had 19 points. Tori Moreland posted 17 points.
 
The Lakers trailed by as much as 11-6 with 3:25 left in the first quarter, but eventually retook the lead with a 7-0 run led by Rachel Chessar, who had a three pointer and a free throw during the stretch. Johnstown took back the lead to hold a 17-15 lead at the end of the first quarter before Mercyhurst outscored the Mountain Cats 19-15 to lead 38-36 going into the second half.
 
The Lakers took the lead for good with four minutes left in the fourth quarter, going on a 14-point run that lasted into the final seconds. Oswalt buried back-to-back three pointers -- first knotting the action at 57-57 and then pushing the Lakers to a 60-57 lead. Oswalt added four more points to the streak in free throws while Lapertosa added three free throws. The Lakers led by as much as 10 at the end of their run, leading 67-57.
 
Mercyhurst led bench points claiming 39 points from non-starters compared to seven from the Mountain Cats. The Lakers led every shot percentage category going 24-of-45 (53.3%) from the field, 7-of-14 (50%) from beyond the arc and 12-of-17 (70.6%) from the free throw line. Pitt-Johnstown held an edge at the glass, 31-23.
 
The Lakers will finish their season on Saturday when they visit Edinboro for a 1 p.m. tip-off.