ERIE, PA – Only one night removed from a fast-paced 100-possession loss to the Bethany Bison, the Houghton Highlanders locked horns with the newly-minted Division I Mercyhurst University cagers, falling to the Lakers, 88-62.
 
While the game counted as an exhibition match for the Highlanders, the Lakers are allowed to count the victory on their overall record.  Mercyhurst is currently in their first year in Division I, having previously competed at the Division II level.
 
The Highlanders hung around in the early minutes, trailing by only two points five minutes in, but a 6-0 Laker run gave Mercyhurst some breathing room.  Less than 10 minutes later, the Lakers would peel off a 14-2 run to take a fairly commanding lead, from which the Highlanders would never recover.
 
Mercyhurst led at the break, 49-32, and would outscore the Highlanders in the second half, 39-30, to complete the win.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 62 | Mercyhurst – 88
Records: Houghton: 0-1 |Mercyhurst: 2-1
Venue: Mercyhurst Athletic Center, Mercyhurst University | Attendance: 702

NOTABLE STATS
>> While the Lakers shot 53 percent from the floor, they also converted 47 percent (8-for-17) on their shots from beyond the arc.
 
>> Mercyhurst held advantages in turnovers (23-to-12) and assists (22-to-11).
 
>> Preston Thomas led the Highlanders with 17 points and eight rebounds, while Lou Bellamy added 12 points and seven rebounds.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"Coming off a 100-plus possession track meet on Friday night to a D1 opponent in less than 24 hours, I was really pleased with our effort and ability to make better reads against a physical, switching defense.
 
"The turnover numbers are not sustainable, nor is our opponents' three-point percentage, which is either our lack of urgency or missing some scouting report details. We need to find fixes for those this week.

"Preston [Thomas] looked comfortable, like he did at Niagara. Credit to the guys for finding both him and Lou [Bellamy] in spots where they had advantages." – Head Coach Jeremy Bialek
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center this upcoming Thursday, November 14^th, when they will host the SUNY Morrisville Mustangs at 7:00 p.m.  The Highlanders have not played the Mustangs since joining the NCAA in 2011.