Erie, PA- The Mercyhurst Women's Basketball team returned to Erie, PA this evening as they played host to the Crimson Hawks of IUP. Matching up with the 2nd ranked team in the PSAC West, the Lakers used a huge 2nd half to outlast IUP 66-63. The Lakers are now 15-7 overall and 11-5 in conference play.  

How it Happened 

The Crimson Hawks didn't waste any time getting on the board as they converted a layup off the tip. Bailey Kuhns found her way to the foul line on the next possession to tie the game at 2. The two free throws seemed to ignite Bailey Kuhns offensively as she then scored 5 more points on back-to-back possessions to give the Lakers an early lead. Paige Woodford, Ava Waid, and Allyson Ross then started heating up as each converted to give the Lakers a lead, 16-14. 

Ava Waid got the Lakers started in the 2nd quarter with a pretty lefty scoop shot to extend the lead to 4. IUP found their way back however, as they took the lead two minutes later. A Crimson Hawk three then extended their lead to 6 as the Laker offense grew stagnant. The 14-0 run finally ended with a Paige Woodford layup, but it wasn't before IUP grew the lead to double digits. A slow offensive quarter from the Lakers resulted in a 34-25 halftime score.  

Bailey Kuhns led the Lakers in the first half with 9 points, while Paige Woodford chipped in 5.  

The Lakers cut it to 8 mid-way through the third quarter as Bailey Kuhns and Danielle Grim continued to attack offensively. Grim then hit another jumper and converted two free throws to cut it 4, which is when Paige Woodford hit a baseline jumper to make it a one possession lead. The Lakers climbed all the way back to take the lead once Grace Clary hit a long ball from beyond the arc. Clary duplicated the shot on the very next possession to give Mercyhurst a 4-point lead.  

As the fourth quarter got underway, so did the IUP offense. The Crimson Hawks took a one-point lead, but Paige Woodford answered right back with a three of her own. Paired with an Allyson Ross layup, the Lakers took a two possession lead once again. Ross wasn't done there as she then poured in 4 more to give the Lakers a 5-point lead, 54-49. Danielle Grim and Bailey Kuhns stepped up as needed down the stretch and the Lakers hit free throws as time dwindled to secure the victory, 66-63. 

Highlights 

After only scoring 9 points in the 2nd quarter, the Lakers responded by scoring 20 in the third while holding IUP to only 5 points.  

Bailey Kuhns led all Laker scorers with 17 points to go along with 9 rebounds. Danielle Grim and Grace Clary also played well, contributing 11 points each.  

Up Next 

The Lakers will now enjoy a week off and won't be back in action until Wednesday, February 14th which is when they'll travel to Edinboro University to take on the Fighting Scot's.