MERCYHURST (5-13, 5-2 NEC) at CHICAGO STATE (4-16, 3-4 NEC)
Saturday, Jan. 24 – 1:00 p.m. CT
TV: NEC Front Row
 
The Mercyhurst women's basketball team looks to extend its win streak to five Saturday, traveling to Chicago State. Tipoff is set for 1:00 p.m. CT with the game being streamed on NEC Front Row.
 
The Opponent
Chicago State is winners of its last two games, moving to 3-4 in NEC play with wins over Le Moyne and Saint Francis. The Cougars were selected third in the preseason poll behind FDU and Stonehill. Aiyanna Culver was named to the NEC Preseason Team. However, the sophomore has not seen action since Dec. 17.

Keona McGee has been the leading scorer for the Cougars in conference play, averaging 10.6 points. Tania Allen is one of the best shot blockers in the NEC, averaging 1.3 denials per game.
 
Last Time Out
The Lakers eeked out a win over New Haven Thursday night at home after the Chargers chipped away at what was a 20 point Lakers halftime lead. The Charger pulled within one late in the fourth quarter, but the Lakers snuck away with their fourth straight victory, 66-63, after not making a field goal in the final frame. The Lakers used exceptional free throw shooting to close out the game, going  14-of-18 from the charity stripe in the final 10 minutes of play.
 
Jenna Van Schaik led the way with 25 points, adding four assists and three steals. Cici Hernandez added 18 points on five 3-point makes while Sofia Wilson chipped in 12.
 
Series History
The Lakers and the Cougars are 1-1 against each other, splitting last year's season series. The home team won in both meetings with the Mercyhurst pulling out a 76-69 overtime win at home.
 
WWWWin Streak
The Lakers have their first ever four game win streak since making the jump to Division I. The Lakers won three in a row last season, besting LIU twice and downing Wagner in between. Mercyhurst's last five game win streak came in 2020, winning six in a row from Feb. 29 of the 2019-2020 season to Jan. 9 of the 2020-2021 season.
 
Year 2
The Lakers are just one win off their NEC win total from last season. The Lakers finished last season 6-10 in conference play and 9-18 overall.
 
NEC Player of the Week
Cici Hernandez was tabbed the NEC Player of the Week following two outstanding performances at CCSU and Stonehill. Hernandez had 44 points across the two games, helping the Lakers to a 2-0 week. She tacked on five assists, two rebounds, and a steal while shooting 58 percent from the field.
 
Offensive Onslaught
The Lakers have the second-best scoring offense in the league since conference play began, averaging 70.6 points per game. The Lakers have four players averaging 10 or more points in conference play in Cici Hernandez (17.7), Sofia Wilson (14.6), Jenna Van Schaik (12.0), and Lena Walz (10.3).
 
Efficient
Mercyhurst has been one of the most efficient shooting teams in the league since conference play began. The Lakers are third in the NEC in field goal percentage (43.4) and 3-point percentage (36.2).
 
Freshman Phenom
Sofia Wilson had been excellent in NEC action, ranking near the top of the league in steals, assists, and assist to turnover ratio in NEC play.
The rookie is third in assists (3.9), fifth in assists to turnover ratio (1.4), and third in steals (2.4).