MANSFIELD, Pa. - The Mansfield University women's basketball game fell to Mercyhurst University, 86-43, in their final game before the New Year inside Decker Gymnasium on Friday afternoon, Dec. 30 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) action.
 
The Mounties fall to 1-8 overall and 1-4 in the PSAC, while the Lakers improve to 8-4 overall and 3-2 in conference.
 
Jasmine Hilton led the way for the Mounties, notching her ninth straight double-figure scoring effort to start the season, finishing with 16 points, five rebounds and three blocks. Alivia Paeglow added nine points and four rebounds, while Dane Ellzy led the second unit with eight points and two blocks.
 
The Mounties built an early 6-2 lead three minutes through the first quarter, but Mercyhurst countered with a 7-3 run over the next four minutes to knot the game at 9-9 with 4:20 remaining in the period. The Lakers took their first lead 11-9 less than 30 seconds later and never relinquished the lead from there.
 
The Lakers outscored the Mounties 22-12 in the second quarter before erupting for 32 points and holding the Mounties to nine in the third period to put the game out of reach.
 
Shooting woes plagued the Mounties, finishing just 16-of-63 (25 percent) compared to their counterpart who knocked down 50 percent of their shots (34-of-68), including going a scorching (12-of-18) in their red-hot third quarter.
 
Mercyhurst also knocked down 43 percent of their 3-pointers (9-of-21), while holding MU to 2-of-19 from deep. Both teams finished 9-of-13 at the free-throw line.
 
For the Lakers, 14 different players found the bottom of the net led by Grace Centrulla, who finished with 18 points and seven rebounds.
 
The Mounties will open the New Year on Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 5:30 p.m. when they welcome West Chester University for a PSAC Eastern Division showdown.