ERIE, Pa. – The Mansfield University women's basketball team tied the first quarter and came out on top in the fourth, but Mercyhurst University outscored the Mounties by eight points in both the second and third periods to earn a 52-39 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East-West crossover victory on Tuesday night, Dec. 14.
 
The Mounties (2-5, 1-2 PSAC) knotted the Lakers (3-6, 1-2 PSAC) at 10 after the first quarter, while holding a 16-13 advantage in the final period, but Mercyhurst outscored Mansfield 39-12 over the second and third quarters to sneak out the victory. The Mounties failed to knock down a 3-pointer for the first time this season.
 
Junior Jasmine Hilton notched a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double in her best game of the season, while senior Kira Merritt finished with seven rebounds and freshman Kristen Fulford added seven points. Senior Paige Whitfield came away with five steals.
 
Mercyhurst struggled also struggled from the floor, as the Mountaineer defense forced 23 turnovers and came away with 10 steals, but the Lakers knocked down three more trifectas and free throws on the night.
 
After matching the Lakers' effort in the first quarter to tie the game at 10, the Mounties shot just 2-of-17 in the second quarter and 4-of-16 in the third to allow Mercyhurst to extend their lead to as high as 19 with 1:29 to go in the third.
 
Back-to-back field goals by Fulford and Whitfield cut the Mountaineers' deficit back to single digits at 45-37 with just over a minute remaining, but Mercyhurst closed out the contest on a 7-2 run to put the game away.
 
Grace Centrulla (16 points, nine rebounds) and Jayde Boyd (11 points, five assists) each finished in double figures to lead the Mercyhurst offense.
 
The Mounties are back in action on Saturday, Dec. 18 at 1 p.m. when they travel to Gannon University for a PSAC crossover game.