Erie, Pa. - After three games last week, Mercyhurst Men's Basketball gets a bit of a break with just one game scheduled this time around. The team opens up the month of February with Edinboro as the Lakers make the short trip to McComb Fieldhouse on Wednesday, February 1st, for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.
1. Making History
Laker graduate guard MiyKah McIntosh eclipsed a major milestone for his career last week. With his second made three against Clarion last Wednesday, the native of Pickering, Ont. scored the 1,500th point of his career. He becomes just the fifth player in school history to do so, averaging 12.3 points per game on 40% shooting over his five years.
2. Where They Stand
Mercyhurst is currently tied for second in the PSAC West alongside UPJ. The two teams are 11-3 in conference while the Lakers are 15-3 overall and the Mountain Cats are 15-5. They both find themselves looking up at IUP who is yet to lose a game so far this season at 20-0 and 14-0. Edinboro finds themselves on the other end of the list as they are 5-14 on the year and 3-11 in the PSAC, bringing a three-game losing streak into the matchup.
3. Leading the Way
The Lakers have proven to be one of the top teams in the conference in more ways than one in the 2022-23 season. They rank fourth in points per game at 78 while allowing the second-fewest points in the PSAC at 61.6, behind IUP's 58.9. Mercyhurst has the third-lowest field goal percentage allowed at 40.6% while teams shoot only 33% from deep. Conversely, coach Manchel's crew makes the most three-point shots per game of anyone in the conference (9.8) while their 38.9% from three is second-best to only UPJ.
4. Scouting the Scots
Edinboro comes into the game 5-14 overall and 3-11 in the PSAC. The matchup between the two teams earlier in the season ended up going the way the Lakers wanted as they won by a final of 81-48. The Fighting Scots have lost each of those last three games, all coming by double-digits, with two defeats coming on their own floor.
5. What's Next
After just one game this week, the Lakers return for three during the first full week of action in February as the team hosts IUP on Monday, February 6th, at 7:30 before making the short trip to Slippery Rock on Wednesday. They then return home to start a three-game home stand against Cal (Pa.) on Saturday, February 11th, at 7:30 p.m.
