MERCYHURST (15-16, 14-4 NEC) vs BINGHAMTON (19-12, 10-6 AEC)
WNIT FIRST ROUND
Thursday, March 19 – 6:00 p.m.
TV: NEC Front Row
 
The Mercyhurst women's basketball team and Binghamton meet for the second time ever in the Women's National Invitation Tournament Thursday. The Bearcats visit Erie for the first time since 2001 as the Lakers make their first national postseason appearance since making the move to Division I.
 
The Opponent
Binghamton's was bounced in the America East Conference Tournament Semifinals vs. Maine, falling 60-56. The Bearcats were the three seed in the tournament following a 10-6 record in the America East regular season.
 
Bella Pucci and Kendall Bennett were named to the America East Second Team. Bennett was also selected to the Defensive Team. Carletta Bennett earned a spot on the All-Rookie Team.
 
Pucci scored the game-winning bucket at the buzzer to advance the Bearcats over Bryant in the quarterfinals before falling to second seeded Maine.
 
Last Time Out
The Lakers fell out of the NEC Tournament in the semifinals round, falling to LIU, 82-64. LIU took an early lead, which became insurmountable for the Lakers. Every Sharks player that entered the game had five or more points with four Sharks scoring in double figures.
 
Making History
The Lakers earned a spot in their first ever national Division I postseason tournament, earning the NEC's automatic qualifier into the WNIT. It's the fifth season in a row a NEC school has played in the WNIT.
 
3-point shot
The Lakers are 2-6 in games in which they shoot below 30 percent from 3-point range. They are 7-3 in games in which they shoot 37.5 percent or better from deep.
 
Closing Games
Mercyhurst lost three games decided by six or fewer points in the nonconference slate. In conference play, the Lakers closed out the close games, winning nine games decided by six or fewer points, dropping just two contest.
 
Super Senior
Jenna Van Schaik carried the Lakers in the semifinals of the NEC tournament, scoring 28 points, shooting 12-of-19 from the floor.
 
Charity Stripe
Despite allowing Stonehill to shoot 50 percent from the floor in the quarterfinals, the Lakers found a way to pull out a win. The difference came at the charity stripe where the Lakers took 19 attempts to the Skyhawks seven. Mercyhurst got to the line 29 times against Le Moyne in the regular season finale and a season-high 32 times in a win at Wagner.
 
The Lakers got to the line just 13 times in their semifinal loss, 10 fewer times than LIU.
 
Protecting the Ball
Mercyhurst has one of the best turnover margins in the NEC. The Lakers are +2.0 overall and +5.2 in conference play. Their +5.2 turnover margin in conference play would rank in the top 25 nationally.