Box Score Brooklyn, NY.- Mercyhurst wrapped up their four game road trip on Monday with a 72-63 overtime loss to LIU. The Lakers came back from down 13 points in the second half to give themselves a shot at pulling out their third NEC win of the year, but a 13-point outburst from the Sharks in overtime sealed the win for LIU.
 
How it Happened:
Early defensive battles have been the theme for Mercyhurst in their first Division I season to this point. Through five minutes, it was the Sharks who held the 11-9 advantage though. But a 9-2 run helped LIU jump out to a 20-11 lead through 12 minutes and it was capped off by a Brent Davis layup. Freshman Jake Lemelman answered for the Lakers though with back-to-back baskets. But Mercyhurst had trouble stopping Jamal Fuller, who had 11 points in the first 20 minutes of play. His play helped the Sharks enter half with a six point lead.
 
The Sharks continued their attack for the first seven minutes of the second period. Fuller remained hot and right after Graduate Student Jeff Planutis knocked down a three point jumper, Fuller answered with one of his own to give them a 51-38 lead. But the Lakers fought back with a 13-2 run that spanned over five minutes of play. Planutis accounted for five of the Lakers' 13 points in the run. Mercyhurst took their lone lead of the second half after Senior Aidan Reichert hit two free throws to give them a 55-54 lead. Regulation would end with the squads knotted at 59. In overtime, Mercyhurst was only able to knock down one field goal and a trio of three pointers from Fuller, Blake Lander and Malachi Davis helped the Sharks take the game.
 
Highlights:
Mercyhurst continues to show heart in their comebacks. Planutis led the way for the Lakers with 18 points. Reichert scored 15 points and grabbed five boards as well. Bernie Blunt III was the only other player for Mercyhurst with more than 10 points. He shot six for 14 to record 13 total points. The Lakers will get another crack at LIU at home this Sunday.
 
Next Game:
Mercyhurst returns to Erie for two games as they'll welcome Wagner and LIU. They take on Wagner this Friday, January 24^th at 7:00 p.m. The action can all be caught on NEC Front Row.