Erie, PA-The Mercyhurst Women's Basketball team wrapped up regular season play this afternoon with a victory over Slippery Rock University, 71-52. With the win, the Lakers finish out the regular season with an 18-10 overall record, and a conference record of 14-8. Mercyhurst will now begin preparing for the PSAC tournament, which is scheduled to start on March 5th.  

How it Happened 

Kate Duetsch got the Lakers on the board to kick off Senior Day, converting a layup off a feed from Allyson Ross. It was a balanced attack for the Lakers to begin the game, as seven Lakers found the bottom of the net in the first quarter to build a 16-13 lead heading into the second quarter.  

Slippery Rock refused to go away in the second quarter, as the Laker lead remained at only 2. Julia Buchman then sparked the Lakers with a three from the top of the key, as Mercyhurst took a two-possession lead. With only 5 minutes to go in the half, the Rock again cut it to 2 points, but Mercyhurst went on a run to close out the half, benefiting from buckets from Grace Clary, Maria McConnell, and Jenn Van Schaik. 

Julia Buchman and Jenna Van Schaik led the team in the first half with 5 points apiece.  

Allyson Ross started to heat up as the second half got underway. Ross scored 8 points in the first 5 minutes of the third quarter to help the Lakers build a 10-point lead. Bailey Kuhns joined her as she converted on back-to-back possessions to build the lead to 12.  

As the fourth quarter got underway, Julia Buchman hit the 1,000-point milestone with an and-one bucket. The Senior from Orefield, PA has been as steady as they come and will forever be etched into the Laker record books.  

Buchman, along with the rest of the Lakers, dominated for the remainder of the game, as they handled Slippery Rock, 71-52. 

Highlights 

Julia Buchman scored 11 points as she surpassed the 1,000-point mark. Bailey Kuhns and Allyson Ross both scored in double digits for the Lakers with 14 and 12 points respectively.  

Up Next 

The Lakers have been locked in as the #5 seed in the PSAC West. Post season play is scheduled to begin on March 5th, at 5:30PM. Mercyhurst will be traveling to Edinboro University for the first round matchup.