Nov. 15, 2007

Box Score

Erie, Pa. - Using hot 3-point shooting and a balanced offensive attack, the Mercyhurst men's basketball team rolled to an 81-67 victory over Roberts Wesleyan College in the season opener at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center Thursday evening.

Senior Terry Smith scored 18 points to lead five Lakers in double-figure scoring. Junior Milos Bogetic, making his Mercyhurst debut, chipped in a double-double of 14 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.

The win marks the 12th time in 13 years that the Lakers earned a victory in the season opener. Roberts Wesleyan, despite a 21-point effort from Benjamin Lewis, dropped to 1-1 on the season.

In all, five Lakers made their first appearances in a Mercyhurst uniform. Including Bogetic's 14, the newcomers combined for 46 points.

Overall, the Lakers drained shot 50 percent from the field and knocked down 13-of-30 3-point attempts for 43.3 percent. It was the 3-point shot that got the Lakers rolling early.

Smith cracked the scoring column 19 seconds into the contest with a 3-pointer from the right wing. Just four minutes later, Smith hit again to give the Lakers a 7-6 advantage.

With 11 minutes remaining in the first half, Jemel Williams drew Roberts Wesleyan within a point at 19-18, but junior Brian McTear jump-started a 10-0 run over the next four minutes with a lay-up and a 3-pointer. Bogetic scored for two and freshman Srdjan Popovic also hit 3's during the run.

The lead continued to grow thanks to two more 3-pointers from Bogetic and the Lakers entered the half with a 43-29 edge.

The Raiders slowly closed the gap in the second period, whittling the Mercyhurst lead down to 59-54 on a 3-pointer from Williams with 7:56 remaining. But using the 3-point shot, the Lakers halted the Raider run as Popovic, Mathis and Smith all drilled 3-point shots on three consecutive possessions, extending the lead to an insurmountable 68-59 margin at the 5:46 mark.

Smith shot 6-of-12 from the floor and 4-of-10 from 3-point range. He also added three assists and three steals. Fellow senior T.J. Mathis knocked down 5-of-10 shots for 13 points, grabbed six boards and handed out four assists.

Mathis also hounded the Raider guards all game, registering a game-high five steals. Freshman Anthony Terry also totaled four steals. In all, the Lakers forced 19 Raider turnovers.

Brian McTear hit all six of his free throws to finish with 11 points. He also handed out six assists.

Mercyhurst looks to stay unbeaten at the Davis & Elkins Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday against Felician at 8:30 p.m. The Lakers will also be in action Sunday afternoon against an opponent that is to be determined.