ERIE, Pa. - The Mercyhurst men's basketball team looks to continue their strong run as of late and build off their 68-62 triumph over fifth-ranked Indiana University of Pennsylvania when they visit Seton Hill University on Wednesday night.

Game Information 
Opponent - Seton Hill Griffins
Date - Wednesday, February 5
Time - 7:30 pm
Location - Greensburg, Pa. (Katherine Mabis McKenna Center)
Series History - Hurst leads 14-0, (Lakers won 73-58 at the MAC on 1/3/20)
Lakers Notes
Live Stats
Live Video

Last Meeting vs. Seton Hill - LAKERS 73, Griffins 58  (1/3/20)
Mercyhurst got out to a quick 10-0 lead on a pair of Trystan Pratapas threes and buckets by Joel Ufele and MiyKah McIntosh.  They would extend their advantage to 20-5 on a layup from Ufele.  Steve Cannady and Nicholas Lang aided the Lakers attack the remainder of the half to lead 37-19 at the break.  Mercyhurst never let Seton Hill back in the game as they opened up a 55-35 edge with 10:14 to go and went from there to cruise to the 73-58 win.  McIntosh led the team with 18 points and was joined in double-figures by Pratapas 14 and Michael Bradley 11.  Lang and Ufele added seven each.  Lang also pulled down a team-high nine boards.    

Last Time Out - LAKERS 68, #5 Crimson Hawks 62 (2/1/20)
Mercyhurst was paced by junior guard Zach McIntire as he netted a career-high 28 points in 39 minutes played as the Lakers knocked off fifth-ranked IUP 68-62 on Saturday afternoon.  With the home team holding a slim 10-9, McIntire dropped five and Lang hit a triple to put together an 8-2 run to open up an 18-11 edge.  Mercyhurst used runs of 8-0 and 9-1 throughout the rest of the half to lead 40-23 at half.  Cameron Gross and McIntire pushed the edge over 20 early in the second half at 44-23.  IUP used a 10-2 charge late in the half to close within 66-60, but Bradley and Gross capped things off on the line for the 68-62 victory. 

Scouting the Lakers (12-7, 10-5 PSAC)
Team Numbers
Mercyhurst averages 74.6 points per game, while holding their opposition to 65.8 which is 14th in the country and tops in the PSAC.  Their +8.7 scoring margin ranks 51st nationally.  They shoot 47.1% from the floor, while they are 71.8% at the charity line.  The Lakers are shooting a solid 39.1% from beyond the arc leaving them 34th in the nation and second in the conference.  At the defensive end of the floor they are pulling in 31.9 rebounds, putting up just over seven steals per game with 7.4, in addition to 2.3 blocks per game.  

Protect the Ball
The Lakers have done a fantastic job of protecting the ball as their 197 turnovers on the season ranks second in the country and first in the PSAC.  Mercyhurst is 11th nationally in average turnovers per game with 10.4 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 21 of their last 28 games and 13 of the 19 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 471-297 for a +174 scoring margin.

Sharing the Wealth 
The Lakers now have three players averaging double-figures led by 13.5 from McIntosh, followed by 11.2 for Gross and 10.2 by McIntire.  Bradley and Ufele combine for over 16 points per game.  Pratapas is chipping in 6.2, while Lang along with Cannady each drop 5.9.  

Block Party
Mercyhurst has 42 blocks as a team, led by a 14 from Ufele.  Eight other Lakers have recorded blocks on the season as well, including eight from Seager and seven by McIntire.   

NCAA Leaders
Bradley ranks 31st in the country and is tops in the PSAC in assist-turnover ratio posting a 2.58. 

Scouting the Griffins (4-14, 2-12 PSAC)
Seton Hill comes into the contest having dropped six of their previous eight, but are coming off a 73-67 victory at Clarion on Saturday afternoon.  As a team they are shooting at a 40.6% clip from the field, 32.4% outside the arc, and 73.4% on the charity line.  The Griffins are scoring on average 67.8 ppg, while surrendering 78.2 to the opposition. Their -10.4 scoring margin ranks 284th nationally.  They are turning the ball over 13.5 times per game allowing the opponent to convert them into 15.7 points.  Nathan Davis is the Griffins leader netting 20.3 ppg and sits ninth in the country shooting 91.3% from the foul line.  Jimmy Moon joins Davis in double-digits posting 11.8 per contest.  Drew Green and Tommy Sekunda add 7.3 and 6.4 respectively.  Moon is the leader on the glass grabbing 7.6 boards per game, with Davis right behind him at 5.8.  Kendrick Saunders is in his second year leading the Griffins.    

Postseason Watch
With the win over IUP on Saturday the Lakers sit all alone in fourth-place in the PSAC West standings, one game ahead of Gannon and one game behind both UPJ and Cal U for second.  If the Lakers knock off Seton Hill on Wednesday they will assure themselves a spot in the PSAC Tournament.  

On Deck - Home Again
The Lakers return home on Saturday, February 8 when they welcome the Golden Eagles of Clarion to the Mercyhurst Athletic Center for a 3pm start.