MERCYHURST (14–15, 9-7 NEC) vs LIU (19–9, 13–2 NEC)
Thursday, February 26 – 7:00 p.m. EST
New Britain, Conn.
TV: NECFrontRow

• The Matchup

Mercyhurst will finish the regular season on the road in New England. First they will make a stop at CCSU to face the Blue Devils as they search for a home playoff spot. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST. The Lakers will meet the Blue Devils after finding a senior night win against number one LIU. The Lakers have met the Blue Devils once this season where they won 79-61. Live coverage will be available on NECFrontRow.

• The Opponent

CCSU is 16-11 overall and 10-6 in the NEC. The Blue Devils are coached by Patrick Sellers who is in his fifth season. 

The Blue Devils are led in points by sophomore forward Darin Smith Jr. Smith also leads the NEC in points per game averaging 20.2 and free throw percentage making 90.3% of free throws. Smith Jr. shoots 45.8% from the field and 36.7% from three.

Max Frazier shoots a team high 65.1% from the field and averages a team high 7.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.

Jay Rodgers leads the Blue Devils in assists, averaging 7.0 per game.

Melo Sanchez leads in 3PT% shooting 44.4% beyond the arc.

• Last Time Out

Mercyhurst most recently hosted conference champion LIU in the Mercyhurst Athletic Center for senior night where they won 91-83.

Qadir Martin led the Lakers in rebounds and points scoring 25 and grabbing nine boards. 

Jake Lemelman continued his scoring spark scoring 20 points. Lemelman also grabbed two rebounds and dished two assists.

Bernie Blunt III continued to be a constant presence for the Lakers scoring 18 points, grabbing two rebounds, and dishing out three assists. 

Deshaun Jackson Jr. tied his career-point record against the Sharks scoring 14 points. Jackson Jr. also tallied three assists and three rebounds.

• Money Martin

Martin has been on a tear in the last three games for the Lakers. He has scored 19+ points and secured 8+ rebounds in his last three appearances. Martin shoots 58.2% from the field this season, shooting  70.6% in the last three games.

• Scoring Spree

Despite the Lakers averaging 65 points per game in scoring, they have found themselves scoring at least 80 points in their last three matchups.

• Laker Leaders 

Blunt III is third in the NEC in points per game overall averaging 17.2. He is second in free throws, shooting 85.4%, and is ninth in FG% shooting 41.9%.

Lemelman is eighth overall in the NEC in FG% shooting 44.2% and eighth in assists averaging 3.0 per game. Lemelman is fifth in assist/turnover ratio with 1.8.

Martin is first in the NEC in blocks averaging 2.4 per game and is sixth in rebounds averaging 6.8 per game. He is third in NEC play in FG% shooting 61.2% from the field.

Jackson Jr. has also gotten his name on the NEC leaderboard sitting at 10th in assists averaging 2.9 per game. 

• A Look at the Series

The Lakers have met CCSU three times in program history, finding their first win against the Blue Devils earlier this season in Erie. The Lakers are 1-1 at home against CCSU and 0-1 on the road.