The Griffins returned to action after a week off as they hosted Mercyhurst in a PSAC West battle on Saturday afternoon in the McKenna Center.
Christiane Frye scored her 1,000th career point as the Griffins rallied for a 66-62 victory over the Lakers. SHU is now 9-7 overall and 6-4 in the PSAC while the Lakers fall to 12-4 overall and 8-2 in the PSAC.
Helene Cowan hit a three and
Hallie Cowan followed with a basket as the Griffins jumped out to a 5-0 lead. The Lakers then scored 14 of the next 16 points as they took a 14-7 lead with 3:37 to play in the quarter.
Helene Cowan added a three and
Abby Mankins followed with a basket but SHU trailed 18-12 at the end of the first quarter.
A layup from Frye and two straight baskets from
Sakeria Haralson cut the Laker lead to 20-18 with 5:53 left before the half. A layup from Mankins cut the Laker lead to one but the Lakers scored the final five points of the first half as they took a 32-26 lead at the halftime break.
A three pointer from
Hallie Cowan and a three point play from
Helene Cowan put the Griffins in front 36-34 with 6:50 to play in the third quarter. Mercyhurst built their lead back up to four points before a three from
Hallie Cowan and two Frye free throws gave SHU a 45-42 lead with 4:31 left.
Joi Burleigh gave SHU a three point lead in the final minute of the quarter but the Lakers hit a three at the end of the quarter to tie the score at 49.
Helene Cowan and Mankins scored to open the fourth quarter and put SHU in front 53-49. There were three ties and two lead changes at the midpoint of the quarter. Frye broke a tie with a layup at the 3:10 mark which gave the Griffins a 60-58 lead and gave Frye her 1,000th career point. The Lakers tied the game at 60 with 2:25 to play. Two Frye free throws put the Griffins back in front with 1:27 left. After a Laker miss, Frye's driving layup put SHU in front 64-60 with 46 seconds left. The Lakers answered with a basket but
Helene Cowan beat the shot clock and gave SHU a four point lead with just over four seconds left. The Griffins got a stop to close out the win.
Frye led the Griffins with 18 points.
Helene Cowan added 17 points. Mankins finished with 12 points and
Hallie Cowan also reached double figures with 11.
SHU will host IUP on Wednesday evening in another PSAC West contest.