Box Score
EDINBORO, Pa. – The Mercyhurst College women’s basketball team dropped a 71-52 decision at Edinboro Wednesday, Feb. 10. The Lakers were unable to overcome a 38-24 halftime deficit, falling to fifth place in the PSAC West.
Samantha Loadman led Mercyhurst with a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds.
With the loss, the Lakers’ fourth in a row, Mercyhurst is now 12-9, 4-5 in PSAC West play, while Edinboro improves to 14-8, 5-4 in divisional competition.
For the game, Mercyhurst shot 34 percent from the field, and made five three-pointers at 35.7 percent. The Lakers went 78.6 from the line. Edinboro outrebounded Mercyhurst 37-35, and grabbed 15 steals, while each team dished out 15 assists. The Fighting Scots went 41 percent on field goals, hit 5-of-8 three-point attempts, and shot 16-of-18 from the charity stripe. Each team recorded six blocked shots.
Loadman recorded her second double-double in a row, and third of her career, with 16 points and 14 boards. She went 4-of-8 from deep, blocked two shots and swiped three steals.
Amy Achesinski chipped in with 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two blocks while
Nikki Frederickson added nine points and four helpers.
Samantha Reimer led Edinboro with 20 points and Renee’ Brown scored 18.
After a quick 11-3 start for the Fighting Scots, the Lakers went on a 13-5 run, taking advantage of fast-break opportunities while breaking the Edinboro press. Frederickson nailed three layups during the surge, while Loadman added five points, and the teams were tied at 16-16 with 13:02 remaining in the first half.
Edinboro answered with a three-pointer to take a 19-16 lead.
Kelsey Trosch made a basket on the next possession, after which the Fighting Scots staged an 8-0 run to take a 27-18 advantage. Loadman then hit a three-pointer with 6:40 left, slicing the deficit to six at 27-21. The Fighting Scots closed out the half with an 11-3 skein, and led 38-24 at halftime.
Loadman scored eight points and grabbed 10 rebounds during the opening 20 minutes, while Brown led all first-half scorers with 10 points. A swarming, physical Edinboro defense registered nine steals and blocked three shots during the first half. EUP hit all four of its three-point attempts during the first half.
The Edinboro lead hovered around 12 points early in the second half, and the Fighting Scots held a 52-39 advantage with 10:41 remaining when Mercyhurst began to draw nearer on the scoreboard. The Lakers went on a 5-0 run, getting a layup form
Lindsay Whipkey and a Loadman trey, and trailed by eight points at 52-44 with 9:21 to go. Edinboro scored the next six points and led 58-44 with 7:24 remaining. A 6-2 Laker rally brought the deficit to 10 points at 60-50 with just over five minutes left, but the Fighting Scots pulled away late for a 71-52 victory.
Loadman is the second Laker with multiple double-doubles in a row this season, as Achesinski posted double-doubles in three straight games earlier this season.
Dana Banda scored seven points, while Whipkey registered four, and Trosch and
Kelsey Gordon notched a pair apiece.
Megan Hoffman pulled down six rebounds.
The Lakers compete at Indiana (Pa.) Saturday, Feb. 13 at 5:30 p.m. The Crimson Hawks hold a 13-7 record, including a 6-2 divisional mark, and are tied for second place in the PSAC’s Western Division. IUP came from behind to beat Mercyhurst, 58-53 Jan. 16 at the MAC.