ERIE, Pa. - The Mercyhurst men's basketball team has won three straight and four of their last five, including Wednesday night when they knocked off the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Mountain Cats by a score of 82-74 at the Sports Center in PSAC West Division action.  The Lakers will look to continue their strong run of play on Saturday when they welcome crosstown rival Gannon University on Saturday night for the first installment of the Porreco Pride of Erie Cup Game of the season.  The second matchup comes up on Wednesday, February 12 at the Hammermill Center in downtown Erie.

Game Information 
Opponent - Gannon University Golden Knights
Date - Saturday, January 18
Time - 7:30 pm
Location - Erie, Pa. (Mercyhurst Athletic Center)
Series History - Gannon leads 53-24, (Lakers won last meeting 63-58 at the Hammermill Center on 2/23/19)
Lakers Game Notes
Live Stats
Live Video
Tickets

Get Your Beer Here
Beer sales will be available to all patrons 21 years of age or older and will be sold at the stand located next to the concession stand in the Mercyhurst Hall of Fame area.  Sales will begin 60-minutes prior to tipoff of the women's game and will stop midway through the second half of the men's contest. 

Early Ticket Sales
Due to the large crowds that are expected fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets online by clicking here, but be advised there are additional fees.  If you do purchase online you have the option to either print off your tickets or show the mobile option at the entrance gate.  Tickets can also be bought at the Mercyhurst Athletic Complex Monday through Thursday, from 10am to 4pm and Friday from 10am to 2pm.  They will also be sold at the door on gameday beginning three hours before the women's contest at 5:30pm.  Cash or credit card will be accepted.      

Last Time Out
Mercyhurst fell behind 14-4 early in the first half on Wednesday at Pitt-Johnstown, but rallied back to lead by a slim one-point margin 31-30.  The Lakers let the Mountain Cats close to within 58-55 and eventually tie the score at 58-58.  However, a corner three from MiyKah McIntosh and a tough running layup by Michael Bradley put the guests up six, 76-70 and from there they closed things out on the foul line for the 82-74 victory.  Cameron Gross came up just shy of a double-double with 26 points and nine boards.  Zach McIntire and Bradley each had 13, followed by 10 for both Nicholas Lang as well as McIntosh.  Joel Ufele hauled in six boards.  

Scouting the Lakers (9-5, 7-3 PSAC)
Team Numbers
Mercyhurst averages 78.2 points per game, while holding their opposition to 67.6.  Their +10.6 scoring margin ranks 38th nationally.  They continue to shoot over 50% from the floor at 50.2%% for the season, while they are 72.7% at the charity line.  The Lakers sit at 42.9% shooting outside the arc which is now good for 2nd in the country and tops in the conference.  At the defensive end of the floor they are pulling in 32.0 rebounds, putting up just under seven steals per game with 6.9, and are averaging 2.6 blocks per game.  

Protect the Ball
The Lakers have done a fantastic job of protecting the ball as their 158 turnovers on the season ranks 15th in the country and second in the PSAC.  Mercyhurst is 21st nationally in average turnovers per game with 11.3 which is also second-best in conference.  

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 16 of their last 23 games and eight of the 14 games this campaign.  Mercyhurst has allowed 70+ points five times so far this season on November 23, 2019 in an 87-85 win at home versus Millersville, the 83-80 overtime loss at West Chester last Saturday, the 76-66 setback home against Le Moyne, falling at ESU 83-64, at IUP 71-56, and on the road at UPJ in an 82-74 win. 

Bench Scoring is Huge
Mercyhurst continues to be strong even outside their starting lineup as they are outscoring their opponents 375-252 for a +123 scoring margin.

Sharing the Wealth 
McIntosh continues to lead the Lakers in scoring with 14.1 points per game and is joined in double-digits by Gross who adds 10.6.  McIntire, Ufele and Bradley each chip in 8.9, while Trystan Pratapas puts up 7.4. 

Block Party
Mercyhurst has 36 blocks as a team, led by a team-high eleven from Ufele.  Eight other Lakers have recorded blocks on the season as well, including seven by Seager and six from McIntire.   

NCAA Leaders
Bradley ranks 52nd in the country and is second in the PSAC in assist-turnover ratio posting a 2.38.  McIntosh ranks 98th in free throw percentage averaging 83.7%. 

Scouting the Golden Knights (7-7, 6-4 PSAC)
Gannon ventures to the Mercyhurst Athletic Center winners of five of their last seven, which includes a 61-53 win on the road at Clarion University on Wednesday night in PSAC West action.  The Golden Knights have a -0.8 scoring margin netting 71.6 ppg and allow 72.4 to the opposition.  As a unit they are shooting 44.9% from the floor, 39.7% beyond the three-point mark, and 74.4% on the foul line.  Gannon holds a +4.1 rebound margin ripping down 35 per game, committing 14.6 turnovers per game which results in 14.1 opponent points.  Three players average double-digits led by a team-high 14.2 points each from Frank Webb Jr. and DeAnte Cisero.  Chris Clancy adds on 11.5 points followed by 9.5 for Victor Olawoye.  Webb grabs a team best 6.1 boards, while Cisero tacks on just under six at 5.9.  Kevin Dodds and Michael Tertsea over four rebounds per game.    

On Deck - Staying at Home
Mercyhurst returns to action on Wednesday, January 22 when they welcome the Rock of Slippery Rock University for a 7:30 pm start at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.