ERIE, Pa. - The Slippery Rock University men's basketball team lost a road Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division game at Mercyhurst University Saturday, 81-51.
 
SRU exits the weekend with an overall record of 11-4 overall and 5-4 in the PSAC West while Mercyhurst improves to 11-2 overall and 7-2 inside conference competition.
 
Slippery Rock could never quite find its stride Saturday as The Rock scored just five points over the first 11:30 of regulation to put themselves in a hole they could never climb out of. Meanwhile the Lakers shot over 64 percent in the first half, including a 7-for-13 showing from 3-point range, to take a 44-17 lead on SRU into the halftime break.
 
The Rock and Lakers traded baskets for the duration of the second half with Mercyhurst ultimately being able to add three points onto its halftime advantage for the 30-point win.
 
Khalid Gates led The Rock with a 17-point, seven-rebound, two-assist game. Jomo Goings nearly joined Gates in double figures after coming off the bench to go for nine points, four rebounds and two steals.
 
Amante Britt and Jonathan McFall scored six points apiece with McFall collecting four rebounds and Britt passing out two assists as well.
 
Lashon Lindsey added six rebounds and three points while Ahmad Galimore rounded out SRU's top contributors with two points, five rebounds, one block, one assist and one steal.  
 
Slippery Rock closed the game shooting 37.3 percent (19-of-51) from the field overall, 12.5 percent (1-of-8) from 3-point range and 75 percent (12-of-16) at the foul line.
 
Mercyhurst shot 53.2 percent (33-of-62) from the field overall, 44 percent (11-of-25) from distance and 57.1 percent (4-of-7) from the free throw line. The Lakers scored 29 points off 21 SRU turnovers. Jeff Planutis scored a game-high 23 points in the win.
 
Slippery Rock will look to snap its two-game losing streak when it returns home to host Edinboro 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18 at Morrow Field House.
 
 
 

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