Malika Miller knocked down 20 points in LHU's loss on the road to Mercyhurst College 89-78.

ERIE, Pa. – The Lock Haven University Lady Eagle basketball squad (4-6, 0-0 PSAC West) fell on the road at Mercyhurst College (5-8) today 89-78 in an out of conference contest.

Mercyhurst will be a regular Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) opponent as they merger with the conference next season.

LHU fell behind early as the Laker’s went on a 9-3 run to start the contest, but LHU would quickly climb back.

Lauren Kelshaw’s (Weatherly, Pa./Weatherly) layup just three minutes into the contest would spark a 6-2 mini run by the Lady Eagles to draw them back to within two points at an 11-9 score.

But it would be the home team controlling the remainder of the second half as they held a 15 point lead at 43-28 as both teams headed to the locker room.

As the second half began it was all Mercyhurst again as they would build a 21 point advantage with 13:19 to go in the game as they held a commanding 62-41 lead over the Lady Eagles.

But The Haven wouldn’t lay down for the Lakers, they would cut the lead in half to a ten point margin with three and change to play as they only trailed by an 80-70 score.

The next minute would see Michelle Mitchell (Scranton, Pa./Lackawanna C.C.) and Malika Miller (Scranton, Pa./Scranton) knocking down jumpers as they continued to dwindle the Mercyhurst lead which stood at a meager eight points with just over two minutes left.

But a strong effort from the charity stripe by Mercyhurst would eventually win out as they would come away with an 89-78 victory over the visiting Lady Eagles.

Lock Haven was led on the afternoon by Mitchell’s career and game high 26 points. Mitchell’s effort was the best scoring effort by a Lady Eagle since recent grad Ginger Williams knocked down 29 points last season against Edinboro.

Mitchell also got a huge hand from three other Lady Eagles in double figures. Miller pitched in 20 points on the game, Kristen Kudrick (Harrison City, Pa./Penn-Trafford) chipped in 13 and Kelshaw knocked down a dozen points in the LHU loss.

Mitchell also led the way on the glass as she pulled in eight boards.

Stephanie Prischak led the way for Mercyhurst as she put in a team high 19 points.

LHU will tip off the 2008 portion of their schedule as they play part in a home doubleheader against Millersville. The cross conference competition is slated to tip off at 3 p.m. inside the friendly confines of Thomas Fieldhouse.