MERCYHURST TOPS RAMS

ERIE, Pa. -- Jawad Ali scored a game high 31 points to lead Mercyhurst College to a 73-55 win over Shepherd University in men's basketball action at Mercyhurst on Wednesday night.

Ali hit on 11-of-20 shots from the floor, including 3-of-5 from three-point range. He was a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line. Ali also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. Terry Smith was also in double figures for the Lakers with 12 points.

Junior forward Danley Shank (Pond Bank, PA/ Chambersburg HS) led the Rams with 22 points. Junior forward Darren Stackhouse (Alexandria, VA/Garrett CC) added 13 points, while sophomore guard Yves Moliva (Cameroon/Southeast (NE) CC) hauled down a game-high nine rebounds.

Mercyhurst used a late run to pull away for the win. After Stackhouse hit a pair of free throws to pull the Rams to within four points at 52-48 with 7:17 left, the Lakers finished the game on a 21-7 run to win by the 73-55 margin.

Shepherd drops to 3-5, while Mercyhurst improves to 4-5. The Rams return to action on December 29 when they travel to face Florida Southern in the Florida Southern Classic.