MERCYHURST (3–3, 0–0 NEC) at MARSHALL (4–1, 0–0 SBC)
Sunday, November 23 – 7:00 p.m.
Cam Henderson Center – Huntington, W.Va.
TV: ESPN+
 
The Matchup
The Mercyhurst men's basketball team continues its demanding November road stretch with a Sunday night matchup against Marshall at the Cam Henderson Center. The meeting marks the first-ever contest between the programs and comes as the Lakers look to rebound from a narrow 76–71 loss at Miami (OH) on Thursday.

Marshall enters at 4–1 and unbeaten at home, boasting wins over Elon and Arkansas–Pine Bluff and featuring one of the Sun Belt's most efficient offenses. The Thundering Herd lead the conference in three-point shooting at 39.7%, combining spacing and pace under second-year head coach Cornelius Jackson. Their lone loss came to Virginia on Nov. 15.

For Mercyhurst, Sunday presents another opportunity to build consistency before returning home in early December. The Lakers have already shown the ability to compete on the road—highlighted by their win at Loyola Chicago—and continue to blend veteran leadership with emerging young talent.
 
Road Tested Early
Mercyhurst sits at 3–3 through six games, navigating four road matchups in the opening three weeks. Graduate guard Bernie Blunt III continues to lead the Lakers offensively, averaging 17.3 points per game on 47.1% shooting while hitting 36.1% from three. He has recorded double figures in all games except the season opener, including a standout 27-point outing at Loyola Chicago.

Sophomore guard Jake Lemelman has taken a strong step forward in year two, averaging 12.7 points, 2.8 assists, and shooting 49.2% from the floor. Forward Mykolas Ivanauskas provides interior strength with 10.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and a team-best 60.0% shooting clip.

Sophomore forward Qadir Martin adds balance inside with 8.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while senior guard Christian Gamble provides steady playmaking, posting 3.5 assists per contest.
 
Trending Up Offensively
Through six games, the Lakers are averaging 71.0 points per game while shooting 46.6% overall and 31.1% from beyond the arc. Their ball movement continues to be a strength, with a strong 17.3 assists per game, including 25 in the win over Morgan State.

Mercyhurst also holds a +2.7 turnover margin, an early-season advantage thanks to disciplined guard play and improved decision-making.
 
Defensive Identity Holding Strong
Defense remains a staple under head coach Gary Manchel. Mercyhurst is holding opponents to 64.0 points per game, allowing just 38.7% shooting and 26.4% from three. The Lakers also average 7.0 steals and 3.7 blocks per outing, powered by active hands from Deshaun Jackson Jr. (team-high 11 steals) and interior protection from Ivanauskas.
 
Thundering Herd on the Rise
Marshall's 4–1 start includes two convincing home wins and a high-efficiency offense that leads the Sun Belt in 3-point percentage (39.7%), scoring (81.6 ppg), and field goal percentage (50.0%). Picked sixth in the Sun Belt Preseason Poll, Marshall features two preseason all-conference selections in Jalen Speer and Matt Van Komen, the latter providing elite rim protection at 7-foot-5.