NORTH CANTON, Ohio - The host Walsh University outscored the Lakers 52-26 in the paint en route to the 82-60 win at Alumni Area  

Mercyhurst found themselves in an early hole to start the game as 19-seconds in Tyler Newkirk sank a jumper that led to a 14-2 run finished off with a Newkirk foul shot 4:07 into the first.  The Lakers responded nicely with Nicolete Newman and Amber Renz hitting baskets coupled with an Emily Shopene triple capped a 7-0 spurt to climb within 14-9.  The frame would close with the Cavaliers on top 17-9.

Mayci Sales and Newkirk picked up the opening four points of the second to push the edge to 21-9 with 9:12 remaining.  Kori Sidwell netted the vistiors first bucket at the 2:19 mark after taking the feed from Amber Renz to close to 21-11.  With Mercyhurst behind 26-15 on a Lauren Lapertosa layup, unfortunately, Kimmie Borck answered with a basket at the other end leading to four straight by the host to open the gap back out to 30-15 with four minutes left.  The ensuing five points came from the Lakers all at the foul line between Lapertosa and Renz making it 30-20.  In the final half-minute a Newman triple and Newkirk jumper brought the game to the halftime score of 36-25.

Coming out of the break Lexie Scarton and Quionche Carter picked up five quick points to open up the margin to 41-25 a minute into the quarter.  In the following minute it was all visitors with Newman hitting a layup and forcing a steal that resulted in a pair of free throws for Eliza Oswalt making it 41-29.  Off a defensive rebound by Borck, Carter broke out on the fastbreak for a layup which led to a 12-5 Walsh run finished off by Sales for the 53-34 advantage.  Renz converted an "and one" opportunity to get the Lakers the closest they would be the rest of the frame at 53-37.  Unfortunately, the hosts went on an 11-5 charge to end the third 64-42.

Mercyhurst first three points of the fourth came at the free throw line which only helped to keep the margin where it was at 67-45.  A steal by Shopene at the 3:24 mark sparked a 9-2 run for the away team with Vivian Allison, Shopene, and Renz accounting for the scoring to cut it to 74-54. The Lakers could not get any closer unfortunately as Meghan Komendarek picked up the final bucket of the game for the 82-60 final. 

Walsh shot a strong 59.3% from the floor, while holding Mercyhurst to under 40%.  The Lakers did cut down on the turnovers as they held a 9-7 edge in that category.  They also had a 28-22 advantage off the bench. 

Renz led three Mercyhurst players in double-figures with 17, while Lapertosa added 11 and Shopene dropped 10.  Sidwell was the leading rebounder with five.  Komendarek added another block to her season total which now sits at six.

Newkirk had a game-high 19 for the Cavs, followed closely by Sales with 18.  Carter (11) and Alyssa Dean (10) hit double-digits as well.  Sales led Walsh with nine boards. 

PSAC play begins this weekend with visits from Millersville and Shepherd on Saturday and Sunday at 1pm.