Jan. 5, 2008

Box Score

Erie, Pa. - Through 20 minutes, it appeared as if the Mercyhurst men's basketball was primed to knock off rival Gannon for the third-straight time. But the Lakers, after leading by as many as 11 in the first half, managed just 23 points in the second half and dropped a 66-57 decision in the Mercyhurst Athletic Center Saturday evening.

Mercyhurst's (7-7, 1-3 GLIAC) defense set the tone early, forcing Gannon (12-1, 4-0 GLIAC) into 10 first half turnovers. Senior T.J. Mathis recorded four steals in the first 4:23 on his own. The Lakers converted the miscues into 15 points and stretched the lead out to 33-22 with 2:54 remaining in the first half on a layup from sophomore Ryann Bradford.

Gannon, however, quickly chipped the lead down to four points at the midway point thanks to an 8-1 run--six of which were scored by Kyle Goldcamp.

The Lakers knocked down 14-of-31 from the field and committed just five turnovers in the first, but the offense bogged down in the second. Mercyhurst shot just 9-of-23 in the second and made only two 3-pointers despite entering the game averaging eight threes per game.

Even with the offensive woes, Mercyhurst held off the charging Golden Knights until a tip-in by Vince Mosley at 12:43 put Gannon on top 46-45 with 12:43 remaining. The Lakers went nearly six minutes without scoring, and Gannon stretched the lead 56-45 before Srdjan Popovic broke the drought with a layup at the 7:56 mark.

But that score failed to jump start the Lakers, who finished the second period with just nine field goals and 3-of-5 shooting from the free throw line. Gannon, meanwhile, committed only five turnovers in the second and knocked down 14-of-25 shots to finish at 49 percent shooting on the game.

Senior Terry Smith led all Lakers with 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Mathis chipped in 11 points--all of which came in the first half--and five steals. Junior Brian McTear added 11 points and four assists.

Mercyhurst entered the contest having defeated Gannon in two-straight meetings overall and twice in a row inside the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.

The Lakers will look to rebound quickly as conference foes Ashland and Findlay invade the Mercyhurst Athletic Center next week. Ashland visits on Jan. 10 at 8 p.m.