Dec. 16, 2007

Box Score

Erie, Pa. - Senior T.J. Mathis poured in a game-high 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead the Mercyhurst men's basketball team to a 66-53 win over Salem International in the opening round of the Mercyhurst Classic on Sunday afternoon.

Mathis knocked down 7-of-14 shots and also tallied a game-high four steals. Three other Lakers scored in double figures, as well. The victory pushed the Lakers (6-5) above .500 for the first time since Dec. 1. It also was the team's second-straight victory, giving it two in a row for the second time in 2007. Salem International, meanwhile, remained winless at 0-5.

Both teams struggled from the field early, but the Lakers took the upper hand with a 32-20 lead heading into the half despite 39 percent shooting. The Tigers converted just 5-of-19 shots in the first half and sank only one field goal through the first 9:27 of the half.

Salem managed to chip away at the lead in the second half, but the run was short-lived. After the Laker lead was cut to 46-40 on a free throw by Anthony King, Mathis scored twice, sparking a 8-2 Laker run that put the game well out of reach at the 5:31 mark.

While the Laker offense could not catch fire, the defense remained stingy, limiting the Tigers to just 13 made field goals, which was the fewest allowed by the Lakers since Dec. 17, 2005 against Slippery Rock. Mercyhurst also forced 20 turnovers and led by Mathis and Brian McTear, who totaled three, the Lakers piled up a season-high 13 steals.

Senior Terry Smith, limited because of foul trouble, scored 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting and hit 3-of-5 from 3-point range, giving him at least one 3-pointer in all 11 games this year.

Freshman Srdjan Popovic and junior Milos Bogetic also chipped in 12 points.

Mercyhurst returns to action on Monday afternoon at 5 p.m. inside the Mercyhurst Athletic Center against Ohio Valley, which defeated Saint Michael's 86-78 in the Mercyhurst Classic opener.