Mercyhurst's Bernie Blunt III stole the show at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center, scoring 19 points to lead his team to a hard-fought 61-59 victory over Chicago State. The Lakers' win was predicted by CHD Scout, who forecasted a Mercyhurst victory by 11.4 points, but the actual margin was much closer, with the home team barely holding off a late Chicago State surge.
The first half saw Chicago State take a 28-26 lead into the break, with Doyel Cockrill III pacing the Cougars with 7 points. However, Mercyhurst came out strong in the second half, with Blunt III and Christian Gamble combining for 15 points to help the Lakers take control. Jake Lemelman also chipped in with 12 points and 5 assists, providing a crucial spark off the bench.
Despite being heavy favorites, Mercyhurst struggled to put away the pesky Cougars, who refused to back down. Chicago State's Cockrill III finished with 13 points, while Braelon Bush and Marcus Tankersley added 13 and 11 points, respectively. The Cougars' balanced attack kept them within striking distance, but ultimately, they fell just short.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The Lakers' victory was a reflection of their resilience and ability to close out tight games. With the win, Mercyhurst improves to 10-11 on the season, while Chicago State drops to 2-19. The game was a Quadrant 4 matchup for both teams, which could have real consequences for their tournament chances.
While the win may not have been as convincing as predicted, Mercyhurst will take it, especially given the close margin. The Lakers' performance was a far cry from the predicted 11.4-point margin, but they will be relieved to have come out on top. Blunt III's standout performance was a major factor in the win, and he want to build on this outing in upcoming games.
The loss is a tough pill to swallow for Chicago State, who had opportunities to pull off the upset. However, the Cougars can take heart from their competitive performance, which showed they can hang with more talented opponents. For Mercyhurst, the win is a Quadrant 4 victory, which may not carry significant weight in the tournament selection committee's eyes. Nevertheless, it is a win, and the Lakers want to build on this momentum as they navigate the rest of their schedule. With the tournament landscape beginning to take shape, Mercyhurst must string together more victories to bolster their resume and make a push for a postseason berth.