Box Score

Johnstown, PA- Going for their third straight conference victory, the Mercyhurst Women's Basketball team traveled to UPJ this afternoon to take on the 12-8 Panthers. Having beat them once already this season, the Lakers fell short of a win in today's matchup, losing 67-46.  Mercyhurst is now 14-7 overall and 10-5 in conference.  

How it Happened 

Despite getting on the board first to take an early 2-0 lead, the Lakers fell behind 11-2. The UPJ defense came out intact, causing 5 Laker turnovers in the first four minutes of the game. Paige Woodford finally stopped the bleeding with a layup midway through the quarter. It was more of the same as the first quarter dwindled down. Mercyhurst entered the second quarter with only 4 points, as UPJ caused 8 total turnovers.  

Now facing a 15-point deficit after one quarter of play, Mercyhurst found some life as Bailey Kuhns converted just before an Allyson Ross three pointer. A Julia Buchman jumper then put the deficit at 11 with six minutes to play in the half. Allyson Ross and Julia Buchman then did it again on back-to-back possessions to cut the lead to 7. The two teams went back and forth for the rest of the quarter, as the halftime score read 34-25 in favor of the Panthers.  

The Lakers put together a much better 2nd quarter to finish the half shooting over 40% from the field. Allyson Ross led the Lakers in the first half with 8 points, while Julia Buchman chipped in with 7.  

Ava Waid hit a jumper to start the 3rd quarter, and Julia Buchman later knocked down two free throws to keep the disadvantage at single digits. UPJ then used another 9-0 run to build out the lead once again, 47-29. Bailey Kuhns and Julia Buchman converted later in the quarter to keep the Lakers afloat, but the Panthers continued their hot shooting to take a 52-33 lead heading into the final quarter.  

UPJ continued to pour it on to start the 4th quarter, as the lead grew to 23. Allyson Ross and Julia Buchman, who were bright spots for Mercyhurst, continued to play well offensively in the final frame, combining for 7 straight points mid-way through the quarter. The lead became too large to overcome, and as time ran out, the Lakers fell, 67-46.  

Highlights 

Allyson Ross and Julia Buchman led Mercyhurst with 14 points each. Bailey Kuhns and Paige Woodford chipped in 5 rebounds apiece.  

Up Next 

The Lakers will be back at home on Wednesday, February 7th, as they host IUP. Mercyhurst will look to rectify a defeat suffered earlier in the year.