MERCYHURST (0-4, 0-0 NEC) at #12 IOWA STATE (6-0, 0-0 BIG 12)
Sunday, November 23 – 2:00 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN+
 

Mercyhurst meets its first of two Big 12 opponents this season at #12 Iowa State Sunday. The Lakers meet the Cyclones for the first time in program history at 2 p.m. ET Sunday. The game will be aired on ESPN+
 
The Opponent
Iowa State comes into Sunday's matchup ranked 12 in the AP Poll. The Cyclones are a perfect 6-0 on the season and are top 10 in the country in scoring offense and scoring defense.
 
The Cyclones are led by junior Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year Audi Crooks. The 6-3 center set the ISU single-season scoring and field goal records as a sophomore with 820 points with 329 makes from the floor.
 
ISU made a run into the postseason last year but were halted by Michigan in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, 80-74.
 
Last Time Out
Mercyhurst fell to 0-4 on the season in their second consecutive loss at home to Youngstown State Thursday evening, 64-50. Lena Walz led the way for the Lakers once again, scoring a team-high 16 points. Mercyhurst cut it to a one-point game with 6:46 remaining in the fourth quarter, but the Penguins went on a 15-2 run to end the game, winning 64-50.
 
Close Games
Mercyhurst has come close to earning their first win in each of the last two games, either taking a lead or coming within one in the fourth quarter against Cornell and YSU. However, the Lakers couldn't hang on, giving up late runs.
 
Wall to Walz
Sophomore guard Lena Walz has been a key contributor for the Lakers through the first four games as the leading scorer in every contest. The St. Bonaventure transfer has averaged a team-high 13 points per game, scoring a career-high 16 vs YSU Thursday evening. In addition to her 13.3 points per game, Walz is averaging 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists while shooting 43 percent from the floor and 45 percent form beyond the arc.  
 
Switching it up
Mercyhurst Head Coach Erin Mills-Reid isn't afraid to change up the starting lineup, putting out four different starting fives in all four of the Lakers games.