ERIE, Pa. - The Lock Haven men's basketball team (7-2, 3-1 PSAC) was handed its first conference loss today as the Bald Eagles fell to Mercyhurst University (7-1, 3-1 PSAC), 82-60, in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) action on Monday afternoon.
 
The Bald Eagles and Lakers got locked into an exciting first half which featured 11 total lead changes and 63 points. Lock Haven's largest lead was just three points, and they led 24-23 with six minutes to play before an outburst of scoring from the Lakers pushed them out to a 35-28 lead at halftime.
 
LHU got hot from the floor in the first half and shot 52 percent from the field, and their balanced attack saw eight players get on the score sheet.
 
Slowly over the second half, the Lakers continued to build their advantage and they led by as many as 23 points with three minutes to play.
 
Mercyhurst continued to control the second half and eventually brought home the 82-60 conference victory and took down the Atlantic regionally eighth-ranked Bald Eagles.
 
Eli Washington (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) led all Bald Eagles in scoring with 11, and Justice Shoats (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./Holy Redeemer) tallied nine points of his own.
 
As a team, the Bald Eagles shot 42 percent from the field, but could not overcome Mercyhurst's 50 percent mark.
 
James Price (Joppa, Md./Archbishop Curley) led The Haven on the glass with five rebounds, but the Lakers held a slender 33-30 advantage in rebounding.
 
Up Next:
The Haven is back in Thomas Fieldhouse one more time before the New Year when they host Gannon on Friday, December 30. That conference clash is set for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.