ERIE, Pa. - For the first time since November 24th the Mercyhurst men's basketball team will return to the court and for the second time this season their opponent will be a nationally ranked side as they visit the unbeaten Golden Rams of West Chester University on Saturday afternoon.
Game Information
Opponent - #25 West Chester Golden Rams
Date - Saturday, December 7
Time - 3 pm
Location - West Chester, Pa. (Hollinger Field House)
Series History - WCU leads 7-4, (Golden Rams won last meeting at home 58-50 on 12/9/17)
Mercyhurst Game Notes
Live Video
Live Stats
Tickets
Last Time Out
Mercyhurst took their win streak to three sweeping their first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference weekend of the season knocking off Millersville University and Shepherd University as part of East-West crossover. The Lakers down the Marauders first in a nip-and-tuck affair 87-85. Then, just 24-hours later they defeated the Rams 69-59.
MiyKah McIntosh led the home attack all weekend scoring team-highs of 24 and 16 in both games.
Joel Ufele also hit double-digits each day, including posting a double-double against Shepherd with 16 points and a dozen rebounds.
Steve Cannady dropped 12 versus Millersville to be the only other Laker to reach double-figures.
Scouting the Lakers (4-1 overall, 2-0 PSAC)
Team Numbers
Mercyhurst is currently averaging 85 points per game, while holding their opponents to 65.4 ppg. The +19.6 scoring margin is good for 18th in the nation. Currently, the Lakers are shooting 52.8% from the floor having eclipsed the 50% mark in all but one game good for 11th in the country and second in the PSAC. They are 43.5% beyond the arc which is 11th nationally as well as tops in the conference. They sit at 74.8% on the foul stripe. On the defensive end of the floor the team is averaging 3.2 blocks per game, 8.6 steals, and hauling in 33.2 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 12 of their last 14 games. The last time Mercyhurst allowed 70+ points came on November 23, 2019 in an 87-85 win at home versus Millersville.
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 179-70.
Sharing the Wealth
McIntosh and Ufele are each averaging double-digits putting up 14.0 and 13.2 points per game.
Cameron Gross is adding 9.4, followed by over eight points each for
Zach McIntire and Cannady.
NCAA Leaders
Michael Bradley ranks third in the country in assist-turnover ratio posting a 5.33. McIntosh is 18th in free throw percentage shooting a 94.1% clip on the charity line.
Scouting the Golden Rams (8-0, 2-0 PSAC)
West Chester comes into Saturday ranked 25th in the newest poll and is riding an eight-game winning streak after knocking off Chestnut Hill College 95-74 their last time out. As a team they are averaging 88.6 points per game on 42.9% from the floor, 36.4% outside the arc, and 76.6% on the foul line. Defensively, the Golden Rams haul in 45 rebounds and record 3.5 blocks per contest. The Lakers will look to take advantage of the on average 14 turnovers West Chester commits per game which leads to 13.5 opposition points. They use a balanced offensive attack with four player putting up double-digits led by Robbie Heath and his 23.5, followed by Malik Jackson (16.8), Josh Samec (11.8), and Antoine Lewis (10.8). Samec is their leading rebounder with 7.0 per game. West Chester alum Damien Blair is in charge of the Golden Rams for a 12th season.
On Deck
Mercyhurst will return home on Saturday, December 14th when they welcome the Dolphins of Le Moyne College to the Mercyhurst Athletic Center for a 3pm tip.
