MORGAN STATE (1-2, 0-0 MEAC) at MERCYHURST (2-2, 0-0 NEC)
Saturday, November 15 – 4:00 p.m.
Mercyhurst Athletic Center (1,100) – Erie, Pa.
TV: NECFrontRow

The Mercyhurst men's basketball team returns to the MAC on Saturday afternoon, hosting Morgan State in a non-conference matchup. Tipoff is set for 4:00 p.m. as the Lakers look to bounce back from a narrow midweek setback at Canisius.

Lakers Return Home Looking to Rebound

Mercyhurst (2-2) opened the season with a challenging road slate, including a historic 73–65 win at Loyola Chicago—one of the program's most notable victories since joining Division I. After cruising past Penn State New Kensington 93–43 in their home opener, the Lakers fell just short at Canisius on Tuesday night, 58–55.

Graduate guard Bernie Blunt III continues to pace the offense, averaging a team-high 18.0 points per game while shooting 45.8 percent from the field and an impressive 86.4 percent from the line. Sophomore forward Mykolas Ivanauskas anchors the frontcourt with 7.5 points and a team-best 7.3 rebounds per contest, while Jake Lemelman (11.0 ppg) has emerged as a reliable scoring threat on the perimeter.

Defensively, Mercyhurst has opened the season strong—holding opponents to just 69.0 points per game and 49.7 percent shooting across the first four games. The Lakers also boast eight steals per game advantage and have forced 47 turnovers through four contests.

Saturday marks Mercyhurst's second home game of the season, and the Lakers will look to extend a strong home identity after going 11–2 in the MAC a year ago.
 

Series Snapshot

Saturday's contest marks the second all-time meeting between Mercyhurst and Morgan State. The Lakers won the inaugural matchup last season in Baltimore, earning a 78–73 victory that represented the program's first-ever Division I win.
 

Who to Watch for the Lakers

Bernie Blunt III – G – 18.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG
Blunt has opened the year with major scoring consistency, highlighted by a 27-point performance at Loyola Chicago. The graduate guard was named an NEC Prime Performer in Week 1.

Mykolas Ivanauskas – F – 7.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG
Ivanauskas has been a stabilizing presence in the frontcourt, recording a double-double against PSU New Kensington and leading the team on the glass.

Jake Lemelman – G – 11.0 PPG
Lemelman has taken a notable sophomore jump, averaging double figures and providing steady perimeter spacing.

Deshaun Jackson Jr. – G – 6.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.5 APG
Jackson brings two-way playmaking and energy off the bench, highlighted by a 5-assist effort in the upset at Loyola.

Mercyhurst continues to lean on its defensive identity, ranking among the NEC's top units early in the year and holding opponents below 60 points in two of four contests.
 

Scouting the Bears

Morgan State (1-2) enters its fourth game of the season under head coach Kevin Broadus. The Bears split their first two contests, including a 101–77 win over Central Pennsylvania College, and return a veteran core complemented by new additions.

Senior guard Rob Lawson has been the offensive catalyst, averaging 18.0 points per game with back-to-back 20-point outings to open the year. Graduate guard Elijah Davis (11.0 ppg) and senior forward Christian Oliver bolster a lineup that leans heavily on guard play and transition scoring.

Defensively, the Bears have battled issues dating back to last season, when they allowed more than 80 points per game and struggled on the road (2–13 away from home). Early this season, they are surrendering 81.7 points per contest, though they are shooting a solid 46.1 percent from the field.

Saturday's matchup offers Morgan State its second road test of the season.
 

By the Numbers

Category	Mercyhurst	Morgan State
Points Per Game	67.0	83.3
Opp. Points Per Game	69.0	81.7
FG%	44.3	46.1
3FG%	27.5	37.9
FT%	68.4	73.2
Turnovers Per Game	11.8	14.0
Turnover Margin	+0.8	+3.0
Rebound Margin	+3.0	+1.3

 

What's Next

Mercyhurst hits the road for a midweek matchup on Wednesday, November 20, traveling to face Miami (OH) at 7:00 p.m. The Lakers then continue their road swing with games at Marshall and West Virginia to close the month.