LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University men's basketball team (2-3, 1-1 PSAC) did all it could to cut the lead late in the game, but the Bald Eagles just couldn't overcome a strong shooting out from the visiting Mercyhurst (5-1, 1-1 PSAC). The Lakers won the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) contest, 80-62.
 
With the loss, Lock Haven moves to 1-1 in PSAC play. Yesterday (Saturday, Dec. 1), Lock Haven opened PSAC play with an 88-65 win over Clarion thanks to a sizzling outing of its own from 3-point range.
 
Leading the way to day vs. Mercyhurst was Matt Cerruti (Huntingdon Valley, Pa./Archbishop Wood) who knocked down 24 points. His game-high was just two short of his career-high. Jesse McPherson (Philadelphia/Archbishop Carrol) netted 12 points and threw down three monster dunks for Lock Haven, while Christian Kelly (Phoenixville, Pa./Phoenixville) rounded out a Lock Haven trio of double-digit scorers after tallying 11 points.
 
Jaylen Washington (Frederick, Md./Tuscarora) added nine points and six rebounds.
 
Jihad Barnes (Philadelphia/Philadelphia Electric Charter) had seven assists and two steals. Cerruti was 3 of 5 from 3-point range and he grabbed five boards. Kelly and McPherson both had six rebounds.
 
The Lakers led 43-30 at halftime thanks to eight 3-pointers. The Bald Eagles drained five 3's in the first 20 minutes.
 
For the game, Mercyhurst knocked down 13 3-pointers.
 
The Bald Eagles will return to action next week (Saturday, Dec. 8) at Gannon (3 p.m.).