ERIE, Pa. -- The Mercyhurst men's basketball team outlasted Slippery Rock for an 83-76 victory during Wednesday's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference contest at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.

Malcolm Walters compiled 18 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals to lead the Laker effort while Lorenzo Collier put in 16 points and Nelson Maxwell scored 10 points off the bench.

Visiting SRU was led by Micah Till, who had a double-double consisting of 25 points and 13 rebounds. Bruce Spruell added 16 points and Khyree Wooten contribbuted 11 points.

The Lakers' largest first-half lead was five points; their largest deficit in the first half was seven.

After facing a 39-34 deficit at halftime, Mercyhurst (11-10, 8-9) battled back to take a brief lead early in the second. The host Lakers eventually broke a 48-48 tie, enjoying a 17-7 stretch to take the lead for good.

Collier and Walters had five points apiece during that stretch while Patrick Smith put in four. That helped Mercyhurst take a 66-55 lead with 8:43 remaining.

The Rock (18-6, 12-6) pulled within three points on two occasions, but Mercyhurst held off the late rally. The Lakers went 7 of 8 from the free-throw line during the final two minutes.

The battle on the boards was intense as SRU edged Mercyhurst, 42-40. The Lakers had a better shooting night, going 30 of 66 from the field (45.5 percent) and 5 of 16 from three-point range (31.3). Slippery Rock was 27 of 67 (40.3) and 5 of 16 (31.3), respectively.

The Lakers had more production from their bench, getting 29, while SRU had only eight bench points.

Mercyhurst will return to action on Saturday with a 3 p.m. PSAC game at Seton Hill.