The season is looking bright for the Mercyhurst College men’s basketball team as their extraordinary efforts pay off on the court. Last week, the Lakers picked up three consecutive wins, making their record 6-2 overall, and undefeated at home.Mercyhurst College junior Jason Snow dribbles past a Virginia Union defender in the Lakers 73-61 victory.
The men started off their week with a game against Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, where the Lakers made a comeback to take the win, 90-87.
The previously undefeated Mountaineers thought that they defeat the Lakers, but thanks to their performance from the free-throw line and a season-high 10 3-pointers, Mercyhurst College was able to close an 18 point deficit for the victory.

Next on the schedule was the Mercyhurst Holiday Tournament this past weekend. The Lakers’ first match-up was Virginia Union University whom the Lakers dominated from the start for the 73-61 decisive victory.

The team was led by career-high scoring from senior Ryann Bradford who scored a18 points and junior Heiden Ratner who put in 21. For the last game of the tournament, the Lakers met Washington Adventist University, in what would be a game for the books for Mercyhurst.

With the Lakers’ 101-59 victory over the Pioneers, the Lakers scored triple digits for the first time under Coach Gary Manchel, and for the first time since December 2002 when Mercyhurst defeated Point Park University 102-68.

This win also marks the largest margin of victory for the team under Manchel.

Seniors Elliot Englemann and Nnamdi Nnadilli finished with 19 and 17 points respectively. This is just two less than last year’s game record.

With less than a minute and half left to play, Bradford dunked the ball for the triple digit win.
The men will be back on the court after a two-day rest to host Urbana University on Wednesday, Dec. 16.