California, Pa—The women's basketball team couldn't keep their halftime lead losing 62-56 on Saturday. Despite the loss, Eliza Oswalt earned a double-double scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds in the conference loss to California (Pa.).

Rachel Chessar also scored 13 points and recorded 4 rebounds and led the Lakers in three-pointers (3), respectively.

For California (17-1, 11-1) Seairra Barret paved the way also recording a double-double with 31 points and 10 rebounds. Gina Vallecorsa was second on the team in scoring and rebounds with 10 points and 7 boards.

In the first quarter the Lakers led by as many as five before the Vulcans closed the gap and only allowed MU to be up by one going into the second quarter. Mercyhurst extended its largest lead of the game in the second when Chessar would burry a three putting MU up 6 (31-25) with less than four minutes to go in the half.  Cal U would then only be able to cut the deficit back to four as the Lakers went into the half leading 35-31. Chessar had 11 points going in the half shooting a perfect 4-4 from the field and was 3-3 from beyond the arc. As a team MU was shooting 62.5 percent while the Vulcans shot a low 38.7 percent.  Barrett had 19 points and was 8-11 from the field.

In the second half, with just under seven minutes to go, Jenna Kunst would hit a jumper extending the lead to eight (41-33), but the Vulcans would not go away. California would immediately go on a 7-0 run making the score 41-40, before Seairra Barret would get a basket and be fouled. She would make the free throw and put CAL U up 45-43 for its first lead of the game. In the fourth, the Vulcans would go up by six until Mercyhurst responded with a 6-0 run starting with an Oswalt made jumper and eventually tying the game with a layup by her as well. With three minutes to go in the game, Cal would go on another run of six and eventually close out the potential upset 62-56. MU shot 36.4 percent in the second while CAL U shot 35.1 percent.

The Lakers will return to action on January 30th at 5:30 PM, as they will travel to Edinboro to take on the Fighting Scots.