Erie, Pa – Mercyhurst Women's Basketball readies for another busy week of PSAC play as they get on the road on Wednesday, January 18th, to take on Cal (Pa.) at 5:30 p.m.
 
1. PSAC Standings 

After defeating IUP and Cal (Pa.) last week, Gannon takes the first spot in the PSAC West Standings with 7-2 conference record and 15-2 overall. The Lady Knights are followed by three teams: IUP, Cal (Pa.), and UPJ with 6-3 conference mark. Mercyhurst sits right behind with 5-4 record together with Seton Hill and Edinboro. Only two teams in the West have a losing conference mark, whereas the East has five of them. The competition seems balanced in the West, and every remaining game might be important for the playoff seeding at the end of the regular season. The Lakers hope to play well this week and climb up in the standings.
 
2. Individual Leaders
 
Jayde Boyd leads the team with 11.4 points per game on 41% shooting and an impressive 40% from three. She recorded her season-high 26 points against Shpeherd, as she knocked down five three-pointers. Boyd is followed by Julia Buchman with 10.7 and Grace Centrulla, scorer of 10.4 points per game. The Lakers put a lot of weight on defense, where Danielle Grim leads the Lakers as she has recorded a team-high 13 blocks and 26 steals so far this season. Centrulla averages six rebounds per game, and she also added 11 blocks this season.
 
3. Team Stats
 
The Lakers score 76.4 points per game on 44% from the field and an impressive 38% from three. They also do a good job on the defensive side of the court, as they force 18.4 turnovers per game, and turn their opponent's mistakes into offense as they average 18 points off turnovers. Mercyhurst has showcased a team-oriented brand of basketball as they average 14 assists per contest. They are a team with multiple players capable of catching fire and taking over the game, which makes them a hard team to scout. Moreover, with the win against DI Buffalo earlier this season, the Lakers proved that they are capable of beating anybody.

4. History Lesson

The Vulcans didn't start their season well, even going on a three-game losing streak in December. They bounced back since then and boast a 6-3 conference record, despite falling to Gannon last weekend. In the last ten matchups against Cal (Pa.), Mercyhurst defeated them three times, with the last win coming in 2019-20 season. The Lakers are looking to cut their three game winning streak against the Vulcans short, and come out with the win on Wednesday.

 
5. Scouting Vulcans
 
Rajah Fink leads the charge with 15.2 points and 10.7 rebounds per game on an impressive 48% from the field. She is followed by Ciaira Loyd with 14 points and 6 assists per contest. Stopping her will be a key to victory on Wednesday, as well as boxing out Fink since she is very active on the boards. The Lakers hope to use their depth to their advantage and continue to share the ball and play solid defense.