WEST CHESTER, Pa. – A strong second half propelled the second-seeded Mercyhurst University men's basketball team past fourth-seeded Shippensburg, 79-68, Saturday afternoon at the Hollinger Fieldhouse on the campus of West Chester University. The win advances the Lakers (20-8) to tomorrow's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship game at 3:00 p.m. against the winner of West Chester and Indiana (Pa.).

It was a rough start for Mercyhurst, as the Lakers came out shooing 13-of-33 (39.4%) from the floor and only made 2-of-7 (28.6%) 3-point field goals in the opening 20 minutes of action. It was quite the opposite start for the Raiders, as they came out shooting 50 percent (11-of-22) from the field and made 5-of-10 3-pointers, to take a 37-31 lead into the break.

Shippensburg led by as many 14 points in the first half, before Mercyhurst closed within four with 1:52 to play. Dustin Sleva drained two free throws to close the scoring in the first half, giving Ship the six point advantage.

It was all Lakers in the second half, as senior guard Gerrae Williams led the charge. Williams scored 16 of his team-high 20 points in the second half, shooting 5-of-8 from the field and making four huge 3-pointers.

The Aberdeen, Maryland native's first three point field goal of the second half tied the game at 39 all with 17:08 to play. Williams would drain his second three on the next offensive possession, giving the Lakers a 42-39 advantage.

Mercyhurst would lead by as many as ten with 13 minutes to play, but Shippensburg wouldn't go away easy.

Shippensburg's Dustin Sleva, who scored a game-high 24 points, scored eight straight points to close the deficit to two, 62-60.

After a Jay Hardy three with 2:51 remaining, the Lakers were still holding on to a two point lead, 67-65. Williams would put the dagger in the Raiders following the Hardy three with back-to-back threes of his own, to give the Lakers a six point lead, 73-67, with 1:21 showing on the clock.

Mercyhurst would make 6-of-8 free threes down the stretch to increase their lead to 12, 79-67.

The Lakers bench was a huge factor in the semifinals win, outscoring Shippensburg 37-4. Mercyhurst went on to control the boards, as well, outrebounding the Raiders, 36-33.

Mercyhurst finished the game 29-of-63 (46.0%) from the field and made 11-of-20 (55.0%) 3-pointers.

Along with Williams 20 points, seniors Kayode Ajenifuja (17) and Jean Onana (10) also scored in double figures.

Mercyhurst will play in their first-ever PSAC Championship game tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. The winner of tomorrow's title game will receive an automatic bid into the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament.