Indiana, PA- Bringing their eleven-game winning streak into Indiana, PA to take on the Crimson Hawks of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, the surging Mercyhurst Lakers fell short of their 12th straight victory, losing to the Hawks, 61-41. The Lakers now hold an overall record of 11-3 and move to 7-1 in PSAC play. 

How it Happened:  

After the tip off, both IUP and Mercyhurst went scoreless for the first three minutes of the contest. Danielle Grim finally got the scoring underway, hitting a jumper which resulted from an IUP turnover. The flood gates then seemed to open for both teams. Going back and forth, Jenna Van Schaik tied the game 10-10 after a layup and a made free throw. Two late buckets by the home team then gave IUP the lead heading into the 2nd quarter, 14-10.  

IUP extended the lead to 8 towards the middle part of the 2nd quarter, which is when Grace Clary and Lauren Klare hit two big threes to keep the Lakers in the game. Klare then hit her 2nd three of the half to swing the momentum heading into halftime, still trailing by 6. 

Klare led the offensive attack in the first half with 6 points. Bailey Kuhns and Jenna Van Schaik each chipped in 5 points as well.  

With both teams shooting under 40% in the first half, IUP doubled up the Lakers in rebounding, securing 26 throughout the first two quarters.  

To start the third quarter, the Lakers again started fast, quickly bringing the lead back to one point after another three from Klare and a layup from Kuhns. IUP then benefited from a 9-0 run throughout the ladder half of the quarter to rebuild the lead heading into the fourth quarter, 43-34. 

The IUP momentum continued into the 4th quarter until Maria McConnell stopped the bleeding with a three of her own. The Lakers' offensive production lulled as the game ended and IUP built a 20-point lead. At the horn's sound, the final score was 61-41 in favor of the Crimson Hawks.  

Highlights: 

Lauren Klare led all Lakers with 11 points on the day. The sharpshooter continues to shoot it effectively from deep. Jenna Van Schaik chipped in 8 points in defeat. Julia Buchman and Danielle Grim each recorded 4 rebounds in the contest.  

Up Next: 

The Lakers are back in action on Wednesday January 17th as they play host to Edinboro University. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 PM.