Release Date: 11/17/07

Game Statistics

For Immediate Release: Women fall to Mercyhurst in opener 67-61

MANSFIELD - Mansfield started fast, racing out to a 7-0 lead, but lost the season opener 67-61 to Mercyhurst in a non-conference game at Decker Gym

The Mountaineers scored first with two free throws by Courtney Brooks and took a 7-0 lead on a Brooks 3-pointer three minutes into the game but Mercyhurst fought back after a timeout to take the lead at 10-9 and would never trail again.

“We were a little nervous,” head coach Ruth Hermansen said.  “We missed some lay-ups and foul shots.  We forced 34 turnovers but we didn’t make them pay.”

Mansfield struggled from the foul line shooting 52.6 percent.

Mercyhurst took a 32-27 lead going into halftime.

Out of the break Mercyhurst went on a 15-5 to build themselves a 43-32 lead with 14 minutes to play. 

Mansfield fought back and made it a five point game at 58-53 on a lay-up by Clarissa

Correll.  The Mountaineers pulled even closer on a three-pointer by Brooks.

Mercyhurst built the lead back up to seven, but the Mountaineers closed back to within three on a 3-pointer by Alicia Espigh.  That was the closest the Mountaineers got as Mercyhurst pulled away.

Mansfield was lead offensively by Espigh with 15 points.  Brooks had 14 points and a team high nine rebounds and while Mallory Hafer and Correll each had ten.

Stephanie Prischak scored a game high 23 points for Mercyhurst.

 The Mountaineers won’t play again until November 25 when they host Dowling College.

Newspaper Box Score

Mercyhurst University vs Mansfield University

11-15-07 530pm at Decker Gym

At Decker Gym

MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY 67, MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY 61

MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY (1-0)

Stephanie Prischak 9-12 3-4 23; Amy Achesinski 6-8 5-7 17; Samantha Loadman

3-8 0-1 9; Stefany Spetoskey 4-5 0-0 8; Paris Pugliese 2-7 1-2 6; Mara

Dresier 1-3 0-0 2; Lindsay Whipkey 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 26-46 9-14 67.

MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY (0-1)

ESPIGH, Alicia 6-16 0-2 15; BROOKS, Courtney 4-16 2-2 14; CORRELL, Clarissa

3-9 4-4 10; HAFER, Mallory 4-12 0-0 10; AKINS, Emily 3-5 1-3 7; EASTMAN,

Kelli 1-2 2-6 4; REED, Brittany 0-4 0-0 0. Totals 21-64 10-19 61.

Mercyhurst University.........   32   35  -   67

Mansfield University..........   27   34  -   61

3-point goals-Mercyhurst University 6-15 (Samantha Loadman 3-6; Stephanie

Prischak 2-3; Paris Pugliese 1-3; Mara Dresier 0-2; Stefany Spetoskey 0-1),

Mansfield University 9-23 (BROOKS, Courtney 4-8; ESPIGH, Alicia 3-7; HAFER,

Mallory 2-6; REED, Brittany 0-1; CORRELL, Clarissa 0-1). Fouled

out--Mercyhurst University-None, Mansfield University-CORRELL, Clarissa.

Rebounds-Mercyhurst University 41 (Amy Achesinski 16), Mansfield University

33 (BROOKS, Courtney 9). Assists-Mercyhurst University 16 (Stephanie

Prischak 4; Samantha Loadman 4), Mansfield University 14 (CORRELL, Clarissa

5). Total fouls-Mercyhurst University 17, Mansfield University 16. A-229