Mercyhurst's Bernie Blunt III stole the show at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center, scoring 26 points to lead the Lakers to a 98-89 victory over Saint Francis. The win marked a strong performance by Mercyhurst, who improved to 12-12 on the season. Blunt's impressive outing was complemented by solid showings from teammates Jake Lemelman and Qadir Martin, who added 21 and 20 points, respectively. Martin also chipped in with 12 rebounds and 5 assists, showcasing his all-around skills.
The game got off to a fast start, with Mercyhurst taking a 45-37 lead into halftime. Saint Francis' Chris Moncrief kept his team within striking distance, scoring 22 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. Moncrief's efforts were supported by Skylar Wicks, who contributed 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Despite their best efforts, the Red Flash couldn't keep pace with Mercyhurst's high-powered offense.
The second half saw Mercyhurst maintain its lead, with the Lakers' balanced attack proving too much for Saint Francis to handle. The Red Flash made a late push, but ultimately fell short, losing by a margin of 9 points. The final score of 98-89 was a far cry from the predicted 75-63 outcome, but CHD Scout's prediction of a Mercyhurst win by 11.1 points was still correct, albeit not by the exact margin.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The game's outcome had real consequences for both teams' resumes. For Mercyhurst, the win marked a Quadrant 4 victory, which, while not overly impressive, still counts as a win. The Lakers' current net ranking of 283 suggests they still have work to do to bolster their tournament chances. On the other hand, Saint Francis' loss dropped them to 6-16 on the season, with a net ranking of 352. The Red Flash's Quadrant 4 loss will do little to improve their postseason prospects.
In the end, Mercyhurst's strong performance, led by Blunt's 26 points, was the difference-maker in this non-conference matchup. While the win may not greatly enhance the Lakers' tournament resume, it still represents a positive step forward for a team looking to build momentum late. As for Saint Francis, the loss serves as a reminder of the challenges they face in their pursuit of a stronger season. The Red Flash must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a late push and salvage their campaign.