There’s nothing wrong with the Lakers this year.
The Mercyhurst Lakers, that is.
Mercyhurst pulled a stunner Monday night in Erie, upsetting unbeaten No. 1 IUP, 62-49, to end the Crimson Hawks’ 33-game regular-season winning streak.
IUP is now 22-1 (16-1 PSAC West Division).
The Lakers (17-3, 13-3) took down the top-ranked team in NCAA Division II men’s basketball by holding the visitors to 29.1% shooting and two assists.
IUP had not been held to less than 50 points in nearly 10 years.
A 20-4 run in the second half sent the Lakers on their way. They took a 25-23 lead into halftime and shot 50% from the field in the second half.
Jeff Planutis scored a game-high 22 points, Nicholas Lang added 13, and Pip Ajayi pulled down 14 rebounds in the win.
Shawndale Jones had 16 points and Tomiwa Sulaiman added 12 for IUP.
Lakers win! pic.twitter.com/cXhH3eMlcD
— Mercyhurst Men's Basketball (@HurstMBBall) February 7, 2023
McIntosh giving the Lakers their biggest lead of the night.
— Mercyhurst Men's Basketball (@HurstMBBall) February 7, 2023
58-46 Lakers. pic.twitter.com/D8ASPrtMCT
