MERCYHURST (0-2, 0-0 NEC) vs CORNELL (0-2, 0-0 IVY)
Friday, Nov. 14 – 6:00 p.m.
Erie, Pa. – Mercyhurst Athletic Center
TV: NEC Front Row
Promotion: $2 Beer
 
The Mercyhurst women's basketball team is set to make their season debut Friday night in the Mercyhurst Athletic center. The Lakers welcome Cornell for the second ever meeting between the teams. The game will be streamed on NEC Front Row and $2 beer will be sold at the concession stand.
 
THE MATCHUP
The Lakers meet the Big Red for the second time after matching up for the first ever time last season in Ithaca. Friday's game will mark the first time the Big Red and Lakers meet in Erie. The game will be stream on NEC Front Row with tip set for 6 p.m.
 
THE OPPONENT
Cornell has dropped two straight contest to open the new season, first falling to Bryant, 64-38, then to Pittsburgh 56-54. The Big Red are schedule to play four consecutive road games to begin the 2025-26 season, not playing in Ithaca until Nov. 18 as they welcome Colgate. Cornell has gone without a road win since Feb. 8, 2025 when it defeated Yale, 57-40.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Mercyhurst took on the Flyers in Dayton last Thursday, falling 86-44. The Lakers got down 22-17, but were able to cut the Dayton lead down to just three in the middle of the second quarter thanks to hot shooting from sophomore Alena Fussetti, who made back-to-back three-point shots. Despite a hot second quarter, Dayton took a 41-25 lead into halftime and eventually won 86-44.
 
COACHING CONNECTION
Mercyhurst head coach Erin Mills-Reid and Cornell head coach Emily Garner are very familiar with each other. Garner and Mills were both on staff at Army from 2012-14, helping the Black Knights to a Patriot League Regular Season Title.
 
Wall to Walz
Sophomore guard Lena Walz has been a key contributor for the Lakers through the first two games. The St. Bonaventure transfer has averaged a team-high 12 points per game, scoring a career-high 12 points at Dayton. She has also contributed five rebounds, a block, and is shooting 45 percent from beyond the arc.
 
BENCH SPARK
Alena Fussetti has been a spark off the bench for the Lakers during their first two games. The sophomore has made 5-of-8 shots from the floor and 3-of-6 from deep in 10 minutes per contest.
 
FRESHMEN STARTERS
Mercyhurst has started two true freshmen in both of its first two games, Sofia Wilson and Imani Frazier. Wilson is averaging 31.5 minutes per game, 4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, and 2.5 apg. Frazier averages 21 minutes per contest