Erie, Pa. - Mercyhurst men's basketball played within their friendly confines for the first time this season with the team unable to get the win. After finding themselves down by double-digits in the early going of the second half the Lakers rallied to make it a one-point deficit but a last-second shot would not fall to help them secure the win in the 64-63 final.

How it Happened

Daemen was able come to come out of the gates as the hotter team with them jumping out to a 7-3 lead in the early going, but Mercyhurst rallied to take their first lead of the game with just over 14 minutes to go in the opening half after a made three-point shot from Christian Gamble to make it 11-10. 

The two teams played each other even through most of the remainder of the opening half with the two teams being within four points of each other until the final seven minutes of the half. The Wildcats began to find their rhythm and take control of the game, helping them take a lead into halftime break. Mercyhurst did not allow the deficit to get too out of hand before heading to the locker room with layups from Jeff Planutis and Sean Fullerton at the end of the half to make it a 36-30 game going into the halftime break.

Daemen came into the second half as the aggressors with them scoring each of the first six points to take the first double-digit lead of the game for either team, 42-30 at the 17:39 mark of the second. The Lakers responded, though, with back-to-back threes from Fullerton and Alexander Parks to make it a 44-38 score. Mercyhurst managed to continue to hang around and keep the game in single digits from there.

Mercyhurst tried to try and close the gap as the game continue to wind down, but Daemen were able to keep their opponent at arm's length with their work on offense from in close, hitting a handful of shots close to the rim and free throws. It looked like the Lakers were going to be able to pull even or take the lead after a made three from Max Jusianiec and a layup from Adam Bilinsky, but it was not meant the in the team's home opener as a last-second heave from halfcourt missed the mark.

Highlights

Jeff Planutis led the way in scoring for the Lakers with him scoring 18 points on 8-17 shooting while grabbing five rebounds for the second most on the team. He was joined din double-digits by Max Jusianiec and Sean Fullerton with Jusianiec finishing with 11 while Fullerton recorded 10. Fullerton added four steals to his line to come in second on the team in swipes with only Aidan Reacher's five coming in front.

Next Game

Mercyhurst goes on the road for a pair of games later this week as they head to Rochester, N.Y. to take on Roberts Wesleyan on Saturday, November 18th, before heading to D'Youville to take on the Saints the following day.