Feb. 23, 2007

Erie, Pa. -

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Mercyhurst concludes its season against rival Gannon. Eliminated from the postseason, the Lakers are trying to play the role of spoiler and knock off a Gannon team that has clinched the GLIAC South Division.

Scouting Mercyhurst
Mercyhurst's season has been one of ups-and-downs. Injuries have derailed a team that could have begun to make noise in the GLIAC. Despite that, the Lakers have continued to compete, losing three of their last four games by six points or less. As well, Mercyhurst has had strong individual efforts throughout the year.

Julie Anderson has already been named a CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine First Team Academic All-District performer and is a finalist for All-American. She ranks among the GLIAC leaders in numerous stats and ranks in the top 60 nationally in four categories. She will finish her career against Gannon as one of the best players to ever wear a Mercyhurst uniform.

Other players have begun to build their legacy. Freshmen Mara Dreiser and Lindsay Whipkey have gotten important experience in their first collegiate seasons, each starting numerous times throughout the year.

Sophomore Stephanie Prischak has played a full season after her freshman campaign was cut short due to an injury. She is closing in on 400 career points already and has proven to be one of the best free-throw shooters in program history, currently holding a streak of 19 in a row and a .913 season percentage.

Scouting Gannon
Gannon has won 20 games for the first time since the 2001-02 season and has clinched the GLIAC South No. 1 seed. However, the Knights need a win over Mercyhurst to clinch the overall No. 1 seed, ahead of Grand Valley State.

Gannon has a potent offense, ranking second in the GLIAC at 74.2 points per game, and it revolves around Christina Jackson. Although the Knights have multiple weapons on the court, Jackson is averaging 18.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 53.1 percent from the field.

Casey England is a tremendous three-point shooter, leading the GLIAC in made threes and shooting them at a .470 clip. Tiffany Crocker is typically the player setting up her teammates and she ranks third in the GLIAC with 4.4 assists per contest.

Last Game Vs. Gannon
Looking at the stats prior to Saturday evening's women's basketball game between Erie rivals Mercyhurst and Gannon, few would have believed that Mercyhurst had much hope of slowing down an opponent that was on a roll. Gannon entered at 14-4 overall and led the GLIAC South with an 8-1 conference mark, while the Lakers came in at 6-13 and 2-7 in the division. Mercyhurst fought hard but eventually came up on the short end 81-74.

When the Gannon Knights jumped out on top 32-14, it looked as if the contest would not be one of those classic rivalry games. But Mercyhurst stormed back by forcing Gannon into uncharacteristic turnovers and the Lakers converted on almost every opportunity during a nine minute stretch to end the opening half.

Seniors Katlyn Petit and Julie Anderson began the comeback with back-to-back three-pointers and the Lakers eventually cut the deficit to single digits on another Anderson three-pointer with 4:47 to play to make it 37-28. Anderson then converted on a three-point play but Gannon rebounded with four consecutive points to make it 41-31 with just 2:49 to play in the opening half.

Over the final 1:36, Mercyhurst scored nine straight points, including a steal and lay-up by Stephanie Prischak with six seconds to play that tied the score at 44-44 heading into the locker room.

Mercyhurst finally took its first lead of the game on a Petit jumper 32 seconds into the second half but that lead was short-lived. Gannon scored 10 consecutive points and would never trail again although the Lakers continued to battle.

Prischak hit a pair of jumpers that got the Lakers within four at 54-50 but Gannon continued to keep Mercyhurst just out of reach of the lead for the rest of the half. The Lakers had four shot attempts to cut into a 68-61 deficit with less than six minutes to play but were unable to convert and Mercyhurst could not get closer than five the rest of the way.

Mercyhurst ended the game with five players in double-figures for the first time this season, led by Anderson's 22 points on 7-of-9 shooting and 6-of-7 free-throws. Petit and Prischak ended with 12 points and Mara Dreiser scored a career-high 11, all in the first half. Paris Pugliese came off the bench to add a career-high 11 as well.

The Lakers were hurt on the offensive glass as Gannon had 19 offensive rebounds and turned those into 20 points. As well, the Knights turned 29 Mercyhurst turnovers into 37 points.