Erie, Pa.—On a three-game win streak following their 85-63 win over Daemen (NY) in their home opener, the Mercyhurst Men's Basketball team will head back on the road to visit the D'Youville Saints Saturday at 3 p.m.
The Matchup
The Lakers and Saints met for the first time in 2019. Mercyhurst has won all three of their meetings since then, including a 99-31 win the last time they met on Feb. 13.
National Attention
The Lakers impressed at the Dave Russell Conference Challenge, hosted by Shepherd University, over the weekend. They opened their season against Bowie State, knocking off the Bulldogs 96-46, before taking down Fayetteville State the next day. With the two wins, Mercyhurst defeated the two teams picked to win their respective divisions in the CIAA Preseason Poll. Fayetteville State was also selected to finish first overall in their conference.
After that showing, the Lakers appeared at No. 15 on the Division II Sports Information Directors Association National Media Poll. They were also ranked No. 3 in the Atlantic Regional Poll.
Season of Giving
While the Lakers are shooting a blistering 53.7 percent from the floor, the team has made the most of their free throws in the early going. After making 13 of 16 free throws Thursday, they have converted nearly 80 percent of shots from the charity stripe.
Leading the Way
The Lakers have four players who averaged over 10 points over the first three games in MiyKah McIntosh (16.0 ppg), Steve Cannady (15.7 points per game), Aidan Reichert (12.7 ppg), and Michael Bradley (11.0 ppg).
Scouting the Saints
After allowing 101 points in each of their losses to their first two opponents, the Saints won their first game of the season, 90-71, against Bryant & Stratton College Thursday. The Lakers will host Bryant & Stratton Tuesday as well. The Saints are led offensively by Jared Sullivan (13.7 ppg), Garrian Wade (12.0 ppg) and Grant Beyer (11.0 ppg).
