ERIE, Pa. - The Mercyhurst men's basketball team takes the lid off their Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference schedule this weekend as they welcome Millersville University and newcomer Shepherd University to the Mercyhurst Athletic Center on Saturday and Sunday as part of East-West Crossover weekend.

Game Information
Opponent - Millersville Marauders
Date - Saturday, November 23
Time - 3 pm
Series History - Lakers lead 5-3 (Hurst won last meeting 69-55 on 11/19/17)
Live Stats
Live Video

Opponent - Shepherd Rams
Date - Sunday, November 24
Time - 3 pm
Series History - Lakers lead 3-2 (Shep won last meeting 72-62 on 11/15/13)
Live Stats
Live Video

Last Time Out
Mercyhurst improved their record to 2-1 with a non-conference win on Monday night over Roberts Wesleyan College by a score of 89-56.  The Lakers shot 55.2% from the floor and 45.5% outside the arc.  Mercyhurst was dominate off the bench and in the paint outscoring the Redhawks 45-16 and 40-16 in those two categories.  MiyKah McIntosh and Trystan Pratapas each had 15 points to lead the home side, while Zach McIntire chipped in 11 and Steve Cannady added 10.  Joel Ufele pulled in a team high six boards, followed by five each for Andrew Seager and McIntire.    

Scouting the Lakers  (1-1 overall, 0-0 PSAC)
Team Numbers
Mercyhurst is currently averaging just under 90 points per game at 89.7, while holding their opponents to 61.0 ppg.  The +28.7 scoring margin is good for 11th in the nation.  They also are 15th in rebound margin posting a +12 rpg and 16th in turnover margin with a +7.0.    Currently, the Lakers are shooting 53% from the floor good for 11th in the country and tops in the PSAC, 37.5% beyond the arc, and 74.2% at the stripe.  On the defensive end of the floor the team is averaging 3.3 blocks per game, 9.7 steals, and hauling in 37.7 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 11 of their last 12 games.  The last time Mercyhurst allowed 70+ points came on February 27, 2019 in a 71-58 loss on the road at Pitt-Johnstown.

Showing the Depth
The Lakers are showing depth both in the starting lineup and off the bench as their bench has outscored the opponents bench 125-52.

Sharing the Wealth 
Daniel Ogele, Cameron Gross, McIntosh, and Ufele all are averaging double-digits through two games.  Ogele leads the way with 21 ppg, Ufele is next at 12.3, followed by Gross and his 11.7 and last but not least is McIntosh with 10.   Nicholas Lang joins Ufele, Gross, and Ogele as the Lakers leading rebounders as each of them pulls down over five per contest paced by Ogele and his 8.0.  

Scouting the Marauders
Millersville has won their last three games including an 85-50 win over Cheyney on Monday night.  They average 87.8 points per game on just shy of 50% shooting from the floor and 79.8% on the charity stripe.  On the defensive end of the court the Marauders rank 12th in the nation in blocks per game (5.5) and defensive rebounds (32.5).  They will rely on a balanced attack with Jaden Faulkner (22.8), Caden Najdawi (14.5), Khari Williams (13.5), Justin Nwosu (11.3), Mekhi Hendricks (11.0), and James Sullivan (10.8) all post double-figures on average.  Najdawi and Faulkner each are hauling in 7.5 rpg to lead the team.  Casey Stitzel is in his fourth season leading Millersville.

Scouting the Rams
Shepherd enters the weekend with a 3-1 mark and are coming off a 77-66, win over Frostburg State.  Before, arriving in Erie they will take on Edinboro on Saturday afternoon.  As a team the Rams average 76.8 ppg shooting 42.6% from the floor, 39.5% outside the arc, and 82.8% at the line.  The Rams post 2.3 bpg and rips down 33.3 boards per contest.  Shepherd turns the ball over 10.3 times leading to more than 13 opposition points.  Thomas Lang leads the offense with 26.5 ppg shooting over 46% from the field and is a perfect 100% on the stripe.  Jon Preston puts up double-digits as well with 12.0, while Jarrell Jones lands just off that pace at 9.5.  However, Preston is the leading rebounder bringing down 6.3 per game.  Justin Namolik is guiding the Rams for the 12th season. 

At the Port
The Lakers return to action on Saturday, December 7th when they travel across the state to visit West Chester.