EDINBORO, Pa. (January 30, 2016) – The Edinboro University women's basketball team used strong opening and closing quarters to defeat local rival Mercyhurst for the second time this season, recording the fourth consecutive season sweep of the Lakers. Both Edinboro wins over the Lakers this season were decided by double-digits. With the win, Edinboro improves to 15-7 overall and 10-6 in the PSAC West, while the Lakers drop to 10-12 and an even 8-8 in the PSAC West.
 

The two teams opened the contest trading baskets in the early going. Tied at 7-7 with 6:57 remaining in the opening quarter, the Fighting Scots ended the period on an 11-6 run to take a 18-13 lead into the second quarter. Katie Fischer got the run started with a jumper, followed by a Lauren Hippo steal that led to a Michelle Jahn 3-pointer. Whitney Allen scored the next three points to take a 15-13 lead and Maggie Moore converted an and-1 to grow the lead to five points. 

 
The Lakers responded, opening the second period with a 9-4 run to tie it up at 22-22 with 4:29 remaining in the half. The Fighting Scots again closed the period on a run, this time scoring eight unanswered points over the final five minutes of play in the half. Aignee' Freeland sparked the run with a layup off an assist by Allen. On the next possession, Fischer sank a layup in contact to draw the foul and the potential three-point play. Fischer missed the free throw, but was able to get her own rebound and drop it in for a 28-22 lead with 3:29 left in the half. Fischer added one more basket before half as Edinboro held the Lakers scoreless for the final five minutes of the first half.
 
The Edinboro defense gave up just 22 points in the first half, while holding the Lakers to 29.6 percent (8-of-27) shooting from the field.
 
The Fighting Scots lead dwindled to just two points heading into the final quarter, thanks to an 11-3 run by the Lakers over the final 4:26 of the third period. Edinboro missed all seven field goals attempted in that span, only scoring from the charity stripe thanks to three Hippo free-throws. Hippo's first pair of free throws, her first points of the game, came with 2:46 remaining in the third quarter.
 
Mercyhurst tied the game shortly into the final quarter thanks to an Alex Artise jumper just 45 seconds into play, but it was all Freeland from then on as the 6'3'' senior scored 13 points, including the first 6 points of the quarter for Edinboro, in the final period to close out the Lakers. 

 
The Fighting Scots held the Lakers scoreless the final 4:03 of the contest, while outscoring them 14-0 during that stretch.
 
Fischer led the Fighting Scots, totaling a game-high 19 points against her former squad. Freeland finished with 17 points and seven boards. She also blocked five shots, putting her season total at 41, tied for the 15^th highest single-season total in program history (Marin Hightower 1999-00). Michelle Jahn added 11 points and 11 boards, recording her first career double-double and setting a new career-high for rebounds. In addition, Jahn also tied her career-high with four steals.
 
Edinboro shot 40.6 percent (26-of-64) from the field, but just 2-of-16 (12.5 pct.) from beyond the arc, the second lowest percentage all season. The Lakers finished the game, shooting 34.5 percent (20-of-58) from the field and 5-for-20 from three.
 
The Fighting Scots dominated in the paint, outscoring the Lakers 44-20, while holding a slim 40-38 rebound advantage. Edinboro forced 14 turnovers, while committing a season-low seven themselves. They converted those 14 turnovers into a 17-8 points off turnover margin.
 
Natalie Piaggessi and Angela Heintz each totaled 12 points. Heintz entered Saturday's contest averaging 22.3 ppg. Jalin Steel was the final Laker in double-figures with 10 points.
 
The Fighting Scots are back in action Wednesday, February 3, looking for another season-sweep, this time over Slippery Rock.