Erie, PA- The highly anticipated battle of Erie took place this evening as the two top ranked teams in the PSAC West went head-to head in downtown Erie. Facing their toughest test yet this year, Mercyhurst fell short of the Gannon Knights by a score of 69-44. The Golden Knights have now won 17 games in a row and remain on top of the polls. The Lakers move to 12-5 on the year and 8-3 in conference play.
How it Happened
After a defensive stop forcing a turnover, Lauren Klare got the Lakers on the board with a baseline floater. Great defensive possessions kept the Golden Knights scoreless until two free throws tied the game four minutes into the quarter. Two Bailey Kuhns free throws, paired with a lefty scoop from Julia Buchman made the score 6-2 in favor of the Lakers. Out of the first media timeout, Gannon quickly tied the game once again at 6 apiece. As the first quarter ended, Mercyhurst held on to a one possession lead, 10-8.
Julia Buchman scored her 5th and 6th point to start the 2nd quarter to put the Lakers ahead by 4. She then got by a defender on the very next possession for another lay in to give Mercyhurst a 6-point lead. An 8-0 run by the Golden Knights allowed them to take their first lead midway through the 2nd quarter, 16-14. The two teams went back and forth as the lead changed on various possessions. To end the first half, Gannon benefited from a 10-1 run to take a 29-21 lead at the break.
Julia Buchman led the way in the first half with 8 points. Bailey Kuhns chipped in 7 points and 3 rebounds in the half as well. Despite out-rebounding the Golden Knights, Mercyhurst shot just 24% from the field.
Facing an 8-point deficit, Grace Clary cut the lead to 5 with a long ball just a minute into the 3rd quarter. The Golden Knights responded with 5 points of their own to put the lead at 10. The lead grew to 15 with only two minutes left in the quarter as the Lakers became stagnant on the offensive end. As the quarter concluded, Gannon led 50-31.
Entering the 4th quarter, the Laker effort was there, as Brooklyn Kohlheim's squad continued to compete. Gannon continued to have their way however, as the lead grew to 28. As time dwindled, the lead proved to be too much to overcome, as Gannon came away with a convincing win.
Highlights
Bailey Kuhns, Julia Buchman, and Grace Clary all chipped in 9 points in the loss. All three tallied 4 boards in the defeat as well.
Up Next
The Lakers will have a quick turnaround, with home matchups against California University of Pennsylvania on Saturday, January 27th, and Clarion University on Monday, January 29th.
