Box Score Box Score (HTML)

ERIE – A rousing comeback effort from the Bloomsburg men's basketball team fell just short as the Huskies dropped a 66-62 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover game at Mercyhurst on Wednesday evening.

Bloomsburg erased a 10-point second half deficit to draw even at 59-59 with 1:38 to play. The Lakers were able to find just enough answers late, however, including a key 3-pointer from Jean Onana to give Mercyhurst a 62-59 lead with 1:22 to go. A steal and free throw by Charles Haigler (Charles Town, WV/Hargrave Military Academy) brought the Huskies within two once more before Callon Dailey drained two free throws to make the Mercyhurst lead two possessions once more. Haigler followed with a spectacular dunk for a 64-62 score with six seconds left, but the Huskies were forced to foul and Mercyhurst's H'ian Hale connected on both free throws to put the game away in the final moments.

Alssene Saintilus (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) turned in a standout effort for the Huskies, registering a career-high 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Both Haigler and Lorenzo Christmas (Norristown/Norristown) also finished with 11 points apiece.

The Huskies now stand 6-3 on the year while the Lakers improve to 5-4 overall.

Strong first half shooting gave Mercyhurst a 38-29 lead at halftime as the Lakers shot a scorching 61.5 percent, converting on 16 of 26 field goal attempts. The Lakers were able to share the wealth while establishing their advantage as seven players worked into the scorebook led by Dailey's nine points.

The Laker lead pushed to 10 again (50-40) following a layup from Dailey, but the Huskies would come roaring back. A lay-in from Haigler and a dunk by Saintilus ignited Bloomsburg as part of a 10-3 run to push to within three on a trio of free throws from Christmas for a 56-53 score with 5:20 remaining.

Mercyhurst found an answer from long range when Hale drained a 3-pointer for a 59-53 advantage. A spin move for a basket underneath by Saintilus was followed by a steal from the junior leading to a long three by Jon Riles (Philadelphia/Academy of the New Church) to whittle the hosts' lead to a point and 2:52 left before Haigler tied the game on a free throw attempt with 1:38 showing on the clock. The two teams were not separated by more than four points the rest of the way.

Bloomsburg forced Mercyhurst into 19 turnovers and shot 45.5 percent from the floor (20-44).

Paul Bilbo paced the Lakers with 13 points and 11 rebounds and Anthony Lytle added nine points and 10 rebounds.

Bloomsburg returns home to host Gannon on Saturday afternoon in another PSAC crossover game at Nelson Field House. Saturday's game is slated for a 3 p.m. tipoff.