Erie, Pa – Mercyhurst Women's Basketball prepares for a busy week as they take on IUP on Monday, February 6th, at home with two more games to go. They follow that with Slippery Rock on the road on Wednesday, February 8th, and Cal (Pa.) at home on Saturday, February 11th. The Lakers are currently 8-7 in conference play, and with seven games remaining in the regular season, are looking to make a push to secure the playoffs.
 
1. PSAC West 
Gannon sits at the top of PSAC West Standings with an impressive 13-3 record, and they are trailed by Edinboro at 11-5. Pitt-Johnstown is right behind with a 10-5 mark while Cal (Pa.) is in fourth with a 10-6 record. Mercyhurst is currently seventh but has played fewer games than IUP and Seton Hill, the teams in front of them. This week is set to be a very important challenge for the Lakers, as the competition in PSAC West is extremely close, and every game matters.
 
2. Individual Stats 
Jayde Boyd leads the charge for the Lakers with 11.5 points per game and is followed by Grace Centrulla with 11 and Julia Buchman with 10.6 per contest. Lexi Wagner averages a team-high 47% form three on the season and Centrulla scores on a 48% clip from the field while shooting 93% from the free-throw line. Danielle Grim leads the squad on the defensive side of the floor, as she often guards the best players on the opposite team. She is currently eighth in PSAC in blocks and 16th in steals, averaging one rejection per contest and nearly two steals.
 
3. Scouting IUP 
The Lakers defeated IUP in their first matchup of the season on Saturday, January 7th, and are looking to do that again. Boyd led the charge back then, as she scored 19 points and added five rebounds and three assists. Kiera Baughman leads her squad with 15 points per game, and she is helped by Maria Cerro with 14. Stopping them will be a key to another victory over IUP this Monday.
 
4. Scouting Slippery Rock 
Mercyhurst fell to the Rock on a last-second game-winner on Saturday, January 14th, despite Wagner knocking down two three-pointers to tie the game late. The Lakers are set to be determined to get revenge for that on Wednesday, February 8^th. Slippery Rock is led by Isabellah Middleton with 16 points per contest, and Deleah Gibson with 15.6.
 
5. Scouting the Vulcans 
Cal (Pa.) is currently 10-6 and is also working hard to secure a playoff spot this month. Rajah Fink does it all for the Vulcans as she averages 15 points on 49% from the field and leads the PSAC in rebounds with 10.5 boards per contest. Ciaira Loyd runs the offense for her squad, as she averages 6.9 assists in 37.7 minutes per game. The key to victory on Saturday will be using the depth to tire the Vulcans and knocking down shots from long distance.