The Mercyhurst Women's Basketball looks to build on their weekend split at the Rollins Classic as they kick off PSAC crossover play with a trip to Shippensburg Friday and Lock Haven Saturday.
The Matchups
The Lakers and Raiders have met 11 times dating back to 1995, with Mercyhurst holding a 7-4 advantage in the overall series. Mercyhurst was victorious in their last meeting, taking down Shippensburg 79-74 on Dec. 29, 2018.
Lock Haven and Mercyhurst's series dates back to 1991, with the Lakers holding a 16-8 record all-time against the Bald Eagles. Mercyhurst lost their last time at Lock Haven, 66-60, on Dec. 2, 2018.
Stuffing the Stat Sheet Over Thanksgiving Break
Grace Centrulla made every minute count in Friday's overtime win over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She dropped 33 points, the tenth-highest mark posted in Division II this season, and grabbed 10 rebounds for the double-double. She followed that up with another double-double Saturday, posting 17 points and 13 rebounds in the team's losing effort to Rollins College.
Her 58.3 percent average from the floor leads the team, as does her 19.2 points-per-game average. She is also 9-of-10 from the free-throw line and is nearly averaging a double-double with 9.6 rebounds per game.
Rolling Into Conference Play
In addition to Centrulla, Jayde Boyd and Julia Buchman have been putting together strong performances over their last few games. Boyd was named the latest PPG Paints Student-Athlete of the Week after posting her second consecutive double-double in Friday's game and nearly doing it again the next day. She is averaging 9.8 rebounds per game, which leads the team.
Buchman has had hot hands, shooting 48.8 percent from the floor, and 40 percent from beyond the arc in 25 attempts. Add in her 80-percent free-throw percentage and the redshirt-junior is averaging 11.6 points per game.
Scouting the Raiders
Shippensburg will also be playing their first PSAC game Friday. They are 4-2 in non-conference play and reached the century mark for the first time their last time out in a 103-67 win against Salem. The Raiders have four players averaging in the double-digits in points, including Ariel Jones, who dropped scored her 2,000th career point earlier in the season but has not played since Nov. 13. Destiny Jefferson (18 ppg), Lauren Pettis (13.8) and Lauren Mills (12.7) follow Jones, while Pettis is also averaging 10.2 rebounds per game.
Scouting the Bald Eagles
After dropping a Division I exhibition to Miami (Ohio), Lock Haven won their first three regular season non-conference games. However, they played their last game Nov. 21. Lock Haven will welcome in Edinboro Friday night before hosting the Lakers Saturday. Brooke Lawyer leads the Bald Eagles with 16 points per game, followed by Taylor Leidy (14.5), Ahnera Parker (11.7) and Nadia Romanchock (10.5).
