MERCYHURST (3–4, 0–0 NEC) at WEST VIRGINIA (5–2, 0–0 BIG 12)
Sunday, November 30 – 3:00 p.m.
WVU Coliseum – Morgantown, W.Va.
TV: ESPN+

The Matchup
The Mercyhurst men's basketball team closes its November road gauntlet on Sunday afternoon with a trip to West Virginia, marking the second all-time meeting between the programs. The Lakers faced the Mountaineers last season on December 22, 2024, with WVU earning a 67–46 win at the Coliseum.

Sunday's matchup brings Gary Manchel's group into another Power Conference environment, facing a West Virginia program off to a 5–2 start under first-year head coach Ross Hodge, who was hired in March 2025. WVU enters the weekend with a strong defensive profile, holding opponents to 40.0% shooting and owning a +4.7 rebounding margin. The Mountaineers were picked 11th in this year's Big 12 Preseason Poll but have leaned on physicality, length, and a balanced scoring approach to begin the Hodge era.

For Mercyhurst, the contest caps a difficult stretch of six road games in the month, including recent battles at Miami (OH) and Marshall. The Lakers continue to rely on a core of veteran guards and emerging sophomores as they push toward December and the start of NEC play.

Road Tested Early
Mercyhurst enters Sunday at 3–4, with its signature result to date being a 73–65 upset victory at Loyola Chicago on November 6—just the Ramblers' fourth home loss in two years. Graduate guard Bernie Blunt III has paced the Lakers through the opening stretch, averaging 16.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and shooting 45.6% from the floor while leading the team in made threes.

Sophomore guard Jake Lemelman has taken a substantial leap, posting 13.9 points per game, 2.7 rebounds, and a team-best 91.7% from the free-throw line. His 21-point effort at Marshall marked a career high.

Inside, sophomore forwards Mykolas Ivanauskas and Qadir Martin continue to anchor the frontcourt. Both average 5.9 rebounds per game, while Ivanauskas adds 9.9 points on 57.7% shooting and Martin contributes 8.3 points per game.

Trending Up Offensively
Through seven games, the Lakers are averaging 69.4 points while shooting 45.7% from the field. Mercyhurst has emphasized ball movement early, assisting on 15.7 baskets per game with a +2.4 turnover margin, forcing opponents into nearly 14 giveaways per contest. The Lakers remain a work in progress from beyond the arc at 29.8% but have found efficiency inside the perimeter and in transition.

Defensive Identity Holding Strong
Manchel's group continues to lean on its foundational defensive structure—holding opponents to 64.7 points per game, 39.1% shooting, and 29.6% from three. Mercyhurst is also averaging 7.4 steals, highlighted by Deshaun Jackson Jr., Jake Lemelman, and Bernie Blunt III disrupting passing lanes throughout the early non-conference slate.

Mountaineers on the Rise
West Virginia, under Hodge, has already begun establishing a physical defensive brand. The Mountaineers enter Sunday allowing opponents just 40.0% from the floor while controlling the glass at +4.7 per game. Despite significant roster turnover, WVU features experience throughout its rotation and has leaned on depth and pressure defense.

Picked 11th in the Big 12's preseason projections, the Mountaineers have outpaced expectations early with their defensive consistency and balanced scoring, winning five of their first seven contests.

Last Time Out
Mercyhurst fell 69–60 at Marshall on November 23 despite generating 10 steals and holding the Herd to 40% shooting. The difference came from the perimeter, as Marshall knocked down 12 threes. Lemelman led the Lakers with his career-best 21 points, and Martin added a 10-point, nine-rebound effort.