ERIE, Pa. - The Mercyhurst men's basketball will look to make it nine straight wins to close out the regular season when they visit Slippery Rock University in search of a season-series split on Saturday afternoon.  

Game Information
Opponent - The Rock of Slippery Rock University 
Date - Saturday, February 29   
Time - 3 pm
Location - Slippery Rock, Pa. (Morrow Field House)
Series History - Rock leads 29-27 (SRU won last meeting 62-52 on 1/22/20 in Erie)
Lakers Notes
Live Stats
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Last Meeting - Rock 62, Lakers 52 (1/22/20)
Slippery Rock exploded out to an 18-0 lead 8:09 into the contest.  Michael Bradley and MiyKah McIntosh stuck back-to-back treys to make it 18-6, but the Rock responded with a 10-3 charge to lead 28-9.  Trystan Pratapas, Cameron Gross, Joel Ufele and McIntosh tried to work the hosts back into as they trailed 32-20 at the break.  The Rock would open the lead out to 39-25 early in the second half, but a 12-4 Lakers stretch brought it back to 43-37.  Unfortunately, it would not be enough as the Rock held off the home side late in the contest for the 62-52 victory.  McIntosh led the team with 17 points, while Zach McIntire joined him in double-digits with 12. 

Last Time Out - Lakers 61, Vulcans 56 (2/26/20)
Neither team got out to a fast start.  However, it was the Lakers who led most of the period with Gross and Pratapas picking up buckets to make it 8-2.  Triples by Steve Cannady and Bradley had the host ahead 16-10, unfortunately, Brent Pegram scored seven straight to put the Vulcans up 22-21 at halftime.  Cal started out the second on a 7-2 charge to jump ahead 30-26.  A McIntosh three and jam by Ufele got the Lakers back in front 38-37.  Gross and Cannady repeated left-corner treys to extend the advantage 43-38.  From there Mercyhurst never trailed sealing the victory.  Gross had a team-high 12 and team-high seven rebounds.  McIntosh and Bradley each dropped 11, while Cannady added nine.  

Scouting the Lakers (17-7, 15-5 PSAC)
Team Numbers
Mercyhurst averages 74.0 points per game, while holding their opposition to 63.0 which is 5th in the country and first in the conference.  Their +11.0 scoring margin ranks 25th nationally.  They shoot 47.1% from the floor, while they are 71.1% at the charity line.  The Lakers are shooting 41.3% from beyond the arc leaving them tenth in the country and are the PSAC best.  At the defensive end of the floor they are pulling in 31.9 rebounds, putting up just over seven steals per game with 7.3, in addition to 2.0 blocks per game.  

Protect the Ball
The Lakers are one of the top teams in the nation at holding onto the ball as they have committed 257 good for fourth in the country (10.3 per game) turnovers for the season, while forcing 14.6 out of their opponents per game. 

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 27 of their last 34 games and 19 of the 25 games this campaign.  Mercyhurst has allowed 70+ points six 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, the 76-66 setback home against Le Moyne, falling at ESU 83-64, at IUP in a 71-56 loss, 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 590-379 for a +211 scoring margin.  

Sharing the Wealth 
The Lakers have three players averaging double-digits led by McIntosh with 13.8, followed by Gross at 10.6 and McIntire with 10.4.  Bradley is netting 8.9 per game.  Ufele chips in 7.2, while Lang and Cannady each drop over six. 

Block Party
Mercyhurst has 51 blocks as a team after picking up three on Saturday, led by a 15 from Ufele.  Eight other Lakers have recorded blocks on the season as well, including ten from McIntire and nine by Andrew Seager.   

NCAA Leaders
Bradley ranks 28th in the country and second in the PSAC in assist-turnover ratio posting a 2.66.

Postseason Push
The Lakers have clinched a first-round bye and the number two seed in the PSAC West portion of the PSAC Tournament and will host a quarter-final game on Wednesday night at 7pm.  Tickets can be purchased here

Scouting the Rock (15-12, 11-10 PSAC)
Slippery Rock has been strong over the last few weeks winning four straight games, including a convincing 95-60 at Edinboro on Wednesday night.  The Rock have a slim +0.3 scoring margin dropping 74.2 ppg and allowing 73.9.  As a unit they are shooting 44.1% from the field, 34.9% beyond the arc, and 74% at the charity stripe.  Size will be what the Lakers need to contend with as they dominate the glass holding a +5.2 rebound margin (38.9 to 33.7), while coughing the ball up 13.5 times per contest.  Michah Till paces the attack averaging 18.8 ppg and 6.6 boards.  Will Robinson Jr. and Jared Armstrong put up 17.5 and 13.9 respectively.  Donovan Walker chips in 8.0 and Deontae Robertson nets 7.4.  Robinson Jr. is also the leading rebounder pulling in 7.6.  

On Deck - PSAC Postseason
The Lakers will host a quarterfinal at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center on Wednesday, March 4th at 7pm.