ERIE, Pa. - The Mercyhurst men's basketball returns to the court tonight as they begin a three-game homestand as the Lakers welcome the Redhawks of Roberts Wesleyan College for non-conference action with tipoff set for 7pm inside of the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.
MEDIA INFORMATION
Live Video
Live Stats
Mercyhurst Game Notes
Last Time Out
Mercyhurst dropped a brutal 67-65 non-conference loss at No. 18 Daemen last Thursday night inside Lumsden Gymnasium. The Lakers led 62-59 with 3:55 left in the game as
Joel Ufele stuck a mid-range jumper, but were outscored 8-3 over the rest of the game to suffer tthe setback. Mercyhurst had a chance late to grab a 67-66 lead, however the
Trystan Pratapas three-pointer missed. Ufele grabbed the offensive board and was hacked, but split the ensuing free throws to leave the guests still down one 66-65. After, Jay Sarkis made one of two at the charity stripe a last ditch effort by
MiyKah McIntosh clanged off the rim for the 67-65 final. Ufele led the Lakers with 16 points and six boards, while McIntosh chipped in 10 points.
Scouting the Lakers (1-1 overall, 0-0 PSAC)
Team Numbers
Due to their offensive outburst in game one against D'Youville Mercyhurst is currently averaging 90 points per game, while holding their opponents to 63.5 ppg. The +26.5 scoring margin is good for tenth in the nation. They also are 10th in rebound margin posting a +15.5 rpg. Currently, the Lakers are shooting 52% from the floor, 33.3% beyond the arc, and 81% at the stripe. On the defensive end of the floor the team is averaging 2.5 blocks per game and hauling in 41 rebounds.
Defense, Defense, Defense
Defense has been the name of the game for the Lakers as they have held their competition to under 70 points in 10 of their last 11 games. The last time Mercyhurst allowed 70+ points came on February 27, 2019 in a 71-58 loss on the road at Pitt-Johnstown.
Sharing the Wealth
Daniel Ogele,
Cameron Gross,
Nicholas Lang, and Ufele all are averaging double-digits through two games. Ogele leads the way with 21 ppg, Ufele is next at 14.5, followed by Gross and his 13.5 and last but not least is Lang with 10. The same four players are also the Lakers leading rebounders as each of them pulls down over six per contest paced by Ogele and his 8.0.
Scouting the Redhawks (1-3 overall, 0-0 ECC)
Roberts Wesleyan is playing the second game of a back-to-back after falling to American International College on Sunday by a score of 83-75 at home. The Redhawks shot 41.3% from the field for the game and put four players in double-figures led by
Armon Nasseri with 18. Reggie Clark (15), Amari Lee (14), and Shane Fanning (11) also helped to lead the offense. Roberts Wesleyan is averaging 73.0 points per game, but allowing 76.3 to the opposition. As a team they shoot over 41% from the field, 33% from distance and 78% on the line. For the season three Redhaws are scoring over ten per game in Clark (17.8), Nasseri (17.0), and Lee (14.5). Nasseri is just shot of averaging a double-double by hauling in 9.8 rebounds per game which leads the team. Head Coach Mark Saladzius is in his second season leading the Redhawks nest.
Series History
Mercyhurst has a 5-1 lead in the series, including an 88-44 victory last season in Erie.
Up Next
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference play begins for the Lakers this weekend as they host Millersville and Shepherd both at 3pm.
