Box Score

Erie, Pa. – Mercyhurst used a strong first half to top Clarion and win 76-64, snapping a two-game winless streak. The Lakers built a 34-22 halftime lead, and the 12 point margin was the deciding factor in the game. Both teams found their offensive rhythm in the second half, posting identical 42-point performances in the final 20 minutes.

The Lakers improved to 16-8 overall and 6-5 in the PSAC West. With the victory, Mercyhurst matched its win total from a year ago with three games remaining this season. Clarion fell to 15-9, including 7-4 in conference play.

The win, coupled with a loss by Gannon to Edinboro, moves the Lakers into a third-place tie with the Golden Knights. Mercyhurst now sits one game behind Clarion in the standings and two games ahead of California and Edinboro, who are tied for fifth in the division.

The top four teams from each division earn a berth in the PSAC playoffs, and the top two teams earn a home-game in the quarterfinals.

A balanced offensive attack helped to give the Lakers the win, with three double-figure scorers and ten total players tallying points. Shelton Jackson led Mercyhurst with 17 points. Jackson was one of three Lakers with seven rebounds and one of four with two blocks in the game. Jeremiah Wise and Christian Cornelius each contributed 14 points to round out those in double digits. Forward Jordan Armstrong chipped in eight point, seven rebounds, and two blocks in a well-rounded effort while Heiden Ratner, the team's leading scorer, added five points to go along with a game-high seven assists.

The Golden Eagles were led two double-figure scores on the night. Jamar Harrison poured in a game-high 25 and pulled down seven boards while fellow guard Lloyd Harrison added 15 points. Paul McQueen contributed five points and a game-best nine rebounds.

The Lakers opened the game on an 11-3 run, holding Clarion scoreless from the field for the first 7:16 of the game. Wise headed the charge, scoring five of his 10 first-half points during the opening burst.

After gaining a 10-point advantage with 9:32 to play before the break, the Lakers lead remained in double digits for the rest of the half, twice reaching 15 points the late in the opening stanza. After Ratner sunk a three to give Mercyhurst a 34-19 lead with 1:49 before intermission, the Golden Eagles scored the last three points of the half to cut the Lakers' advantage to dozen entering the final 20 minutes of play.

Both teams came out firing in the second half, matching each other score for score. After shooting just 21.9 percent in the opening period Clarion rebounded to shoot 15-of-30 in the second half for 50.0 percent. Not to be outdone at home, the Lakers also improved their form after the break, bettering their 40.6 percent first-half mark to 60.0 percent on 15-of-25 shooting.

In the opening moments of the second half, it looked like Clarion would mount a comeback. The Golden Eagles outscored the Lakers 8-2 over the first 2:37 of the final period behind four points each from Jamar Harrison and Brandyn Mungo.

However the Lakers fought back, rebuilding their double-digit lead when a Cornelius layup gave the home team a 46-35 lead with 12:20 to go in the game. Mercyhurst continued to increase the margin, opening a 17-point gap with 6:19 on the clock when Jackson scored in the lane.

After a mini-run by the Golden Eagles to cut the lead to 13 with just under five to place, Jackson and Wise each drained a three to give Mercyhurst its largest lead of the night at 69-51 with 3:52 remaining.

While Clarion outpaced the Lakers by six in the closing minutes, Mercyhurst's lead proved to be too much as the home team secured a 76-64 victory.

The Lakers overcame an 8-25 deficit in fast-break points and a 24-to-11 differential in turnovers by outscoring the Golden Eagles 38-38 in the paint. Mercyhurst also shot the ball well from the field, making 27-of-57 field goal attempts (49.1 percent) and 6-of-14 from behind the arc while Clarion shot just 22-of-62 from the floor, including 2-of-10 from three. The Lakers also used a strong rebounding effort in their double-digit win, outpacing the Golden Eagles 46-to-34 on the boards.

Mercyhurst returns to action on the road against Lock Haven in a 3:00 p.m. game on Saturday, Feb. 20. Lock Haven is 6-16 on the season with a 3-8 mark in PSAC West contests.