ERIE, Pa. — The Mercyhurst women's basketball team fought to the very end with Robert Morris Wednesday morning in front of over 300 Erie school children, but fell to the Colonials 73-71. Senior Jenna Van Schaik matched her career-high of 28 points, helping the Lakers to their highest scoring game of the season.
 
Cici Hernandez added 19 and Sofia Wilson contributed 12 while shooting a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc for the Lakers.  
 
The game opened with Robert Morris taking an early lead, but the Lakers responded quickly. Hernandez tied the score with a layup at 9:02, and Van Schaik added a three-pointer to put the Green and Blue ahead. Alena Fusetti followed with a fastbreak layup off a steal by Van Schaik, pushing Mercyhurst's lead to 7-2 and forcing RMU to take an early timeout.
 
As the quarter progressed, Robert Morris capitalized on their opportunities in the paint, outscoring Mercyhurst 12-8 in that area. Layke Fields' layup at 1:01 gave Robert Morris a 16-13 lead. Erica Hall made a buzzer-beating jumper, closing the first quarter with the Lakers trailing 16-15.
 
Mercyhurst faced a challenging stretch in the second quarter, trailing early as the Colonials capitalized in the paint. Hernandez contributed with a pair of free throws at 9:10 to keep the score close. A notable moment came when Van Schaik scored a layup at 6:06, assisted by Shannon Heine, which helped reduce the deficit. Despite a late 3-pointer from Gabby Sweeney with 51 seconds left, Mercyhurst ended the half trailing 35–28.
 
Mercyhurst (0-7) started the third quarter with a quick momentum shift as Hernandez scored a layup at 9:47, assisted by Van Schaik. Van Schaik continued to impact the game with a steal and subsequent fastbreak layup at 9:31, bringing the score to within one point.
 
Despite Robert Morris responding with a 3-pointer and maintaining a narrow lead, Mercyhurst remained competitive, with Hernandez hitting a critical 3-pointer at 4:11 to narrow the gap further. As the quarter progressed, the Lakers benefitted from strong free throw shooting, converting all of their attempts with Hernandez and Van Schaik both contributing from the line. Although Robert Morris maintained a slight edge, Mercyhurst's defensive efforts, including key steals by Fusetti and Wilson, kept the game close. The quarter ended with Mercyhurst outscoring Robert Morris 20-17, leaving the score at the end of the third quarter at 52-48 in favor of Robert Morris.
 
Mercyhurst battled back in the fourth quarter, narrowing the gap with a crucial three-pointer from Wilson at 7:49, bringing the score to 54–53. As the quarter progressed, Van Schaik tied the game at 67 with a fastbreak layup at 1:02.
 
RMU (5-2) took a four point lead with 20 seconds remaining, but a pair of free throws from Van Schaik and a good jumper from Hernandez put the game within one with 3 second on the timer. The Colonials' Mallory Daly sealed the victory with a free throw as Hernandez missed the half court heave to end the game.
 
Mercyhurst is back on the road Friday, Dec. 5 at No. 25 West Virginia to take on their third top 25 opponent of the season.