Nick Wilkinson

Men's Basketball 2/23/2018 9:01:00 AM Bob Shreve, Sports Information Director

Edinboro Wraps Up Regular Season Hosting Local Rival Mercyhurst

The playoff picture in the PSAC West has been decided for both Edinboro and Mercyhurst, with the Fighting Scots sitting in fourth place and hosting Pitt-Johnstown in a PSAC Tournament first round playoff game on Monday, and Mercyhurst holding down the sixth spot. However, Edinboro lost for the fourth straight time to the Lakers earlier in the season, 80-79, and head coach Pat Cleary does not want to enter the postseason with back-to-back losses.
Edinboro enters the meeting with its local rival at 16-9 overall and 13-8 in the PSAC West after dropping a 77-69 decision at Indiana(Pa.) on Wednesday. The Fighting Scots were picked to finish eighth in the Western Division coaches' preseason poll but surprised the league with a fourth place finish.
Mercyhurst was picked to finish third in the PSAC West, and the Lakers earned their ninth straight PSAC postseason berth and are locked into the sixth seed. The Lakers suffered their third straight loss on Wednesday, falling to Pitt-Johnstown, 71-64. That leaves Mercyhurst with a 12-13 record and 9-12 in league play. The Lakers have had 11 straight winning seasons under head coach Gary Manchel, who is in search of his 250th win.
The Lakers have dominated the series of late, winning the last four games and eight of the last nine. They have enjoyed success at McComb Fieldhouse, as well, winning the last four times on Edinboro's homecourt. In fact, Cleary has not picked up a homecourt win against the Lakers.
Edinboro celebrates Senior Day on Saturday, with four seniors appearing in their final regular season game. Maceo Baston II, Mike Beck, Keshawn Liggins, and Jaymon Mason will be honored in pre-game ceremonies.
Jaymon Mason has had three straight 20-point efforts with 24 points against Slippery Rock, 22 vs. Clarion, and 21 at Indiana(Pa.). The redshirt senior guard ranks second in career scoring with 1,942 points, just 12 points shy of the school record of 1,954 points. That record is, held by his father, Tyrone Mason.
Edinboro has battled back after suffering four losses in the final seconds. The most recent was a 72-71 setback to Gannon on February 10. The Golden Knights made three free throws with 0.4 seconds left to claim the win. In addition, on January 6 Kutztown scored the winning 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds remaining for a 91-89 win, and Indiana(Pa.)'s winning three came with 1.8 seconds showing, for a 70-67 victory on January 13. Mercyhurst hit their game-winning 3-pointer with 13.2 seconds remaining in an 80-79 loss on January 24. That broke a 76-76 tie.
Edinboro holds a 48-37 lead in the all-time series with Mercyhurst, but the Lakers have won eight of the last nine meetings. The lone Fighting Scots' triumph was a 77-67 win at Mercyhurst during the 2015-16 season.
The Fighting Scots rank seventh in the PSAC in scoring offense (79.8 ppg.) and are eighth in scoring defense (74.8 ppg.). Mercyhurst ranks second in the PSAC and 11th in Division II in scoring defense at 64.9 ppg. The Lakers have held 11 opponents under 65 points, with seven games in the 50's. They average 67.7 ppg. on offense, good for 17th in the PSAC. They are fifth in the PSAC in field goal percentage defense (43.3 pct.), and fourth in rebounding margin (+4.2). Edinboro, meanwhile, is third in turnover margin (+1.8) and second in free throw percentage (77.6 pct.).
The Fighting Scots have relied on a trio of players for the majority of the offense. The threesome of Keshawn Liggins, Anthony Coleman, and Jaymon Mason combine for over 56 points per game. Liggins leads the PSAC in scoring (23.7 ppg.), good for eighth in Division II, and is third in rebounding in the PSAC at 10.7 rpg., ranking 14th nationally. He was selected the Division II Bulletin Player of the Month for January.
Jaymon Mason and Anthony Coleman add 16.4 and 16.0 ppg., respectively. The threesome has combined for 30-or-more points ten times. In addition, the Fighting Scots have had at least one of the three reach 20 points in every game but one.

Edinboro on Radio/Video

The Edinboro-Mercyhurst game can be heard on WFSE-FM 88.9. Dakota Palmer will be handling the play-by-play with Madison Gross providing color commentary.
In addition, this year Edinboro is part of the PSAC Network. All men's and women's home basketball games will be streamed live through Stretch Internet.

All-Time Series vs. Mercyhurst

Edinboro leads 48-37: Mercyhurst has won eight of the last nine meetings.
First Meeting: 1972-73 – Mercyhurst 71, Edinboro 64
Last Meeting: 2017-18 – Mercyhurst 80, Edinboro 79
Current Streak: Mercyhurst won the last four meetings.
Cleary vs. Mercyhurst: 1-8

Last Meeting
Jan. 24, 2018 – Mercyhurst 80, Edinboro 79 at Erie, Pa. BOX | RECAP

For the third time in a span of week, the Edinboro men's basketball team lost in heart-breaking fashion. Mercyhurst's Malcolm Walters drained a 3-pointer as the shot clock went off with 13.2 seconds left to hand Edinboro an 80-79 loss in a PSAC West contest. Edinboro previously lost to Kutztown and Indiana(Pa.) on 3-pointers in the final two seconds.
The Fighting Scots battled most of the night to catch a hot-shooting Mercyhurst team. Trailing by nine at 69-60 with 6:42 remaining, Edinboro would go on a 16-7 run over the next six minutes to pull even at 76-76 with 45 seconds to play.
Keshawn Liggins started the comeback with a 3-pointer, and the 6'5" senior eventually knotted the game with a three from the corner to make it 76-76.
Mercyhurst came back down court and found the shot clock winding down. Walters released a high-arching 3-pointer over Liggins' outstretched arm from well beyond the arc just before the shot clock went off. The shot went through the net with 13.2 seconds remaining to give the Lakers a 79-76 lead.
Anthony Coleman would miss an off-balance three from the top of the key with four seconds to play. Mercyhurst captured the rebound and Edinboro was forced to foul immediately twice to reach the bonus. Derrick Ellis made the front end of a one-and-one with 2.3 seconds showing to boost the lead to four. Ellis would miss the second free throw, with Liggins hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the final score.
Edinboro battled throughout the first half to keep up with a Mercyhurst team that shot 66.7 percent over the first 20 minutes, making 16-of-24 shots. The Fighting Scots, meanwhile, failed to score a basket over the final nine minutes against a Mercyhurst defense that leads the PSAC in scoring defense and ranks fourth in Division II.
Trey Staunch's layup with 9:28 to play in the half gave Edinboro a 23-22 lead, but the Scots would miss their final eight shots of the half. Edinboro's final 11 points of the half came at the line, as the Lakers built a 42-34 lead at the half.
Edinboro's offense came alive in the second half as they shot 50.0 percent from the floor (17-of-34). The Fighting Scots pulled to within one for the first time in the second half at 58-57 with ten minutes remaining on Anthony Coleman's 3-pointer. A 9-1 run gave Mercyhurst the nine-point lead, setting the stage for the late-game heroics.
Liggins paced four players in double figures for the Fighting Scots with 24 points, adding 14 rebounds for his 11th double-double of the season. After being held to just six points in the first half, the PSAC's second-leading scorer scored 18 points in the second half. For the game, he made 8-of-16 field goals, including 5-of-8 3-pointers, and was 3-of-4 at the line. He added five assists.
Jaymon Mason added 15 points, making 4-of-10 3's, and had three steals. After scoring a season-high 14 points on Saturday at Slippery Rock, Trey Staunch matched that total. The offensive tackle-turned-forward made 3-of-4 field goals and was 8-of-9 at the line. He added four rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench. Coleman contributed 12 points.
Lorenzo Collier paced the Lakers with 22 points, 14 of those in the first half. Walters ended the night with 17 points, making 4-of-6 3-pointers, with Patrick Smith adding 11 points and six rebounds. Edvaldo Ferreira led the Lakers on the glass, pulling down eight missed shots.
Edinboro ended the night shooting 44.6 percent from the floor (25-of-56), including 12-of-28 on 3-pointers, and was 17-of-22 at the line. Mercyhurst ended the night at 55.6 percent from the floor (30-of-54), making 10-of-16 3-pointers, and was 10-of-17 at the line. The Lakers held a 31-28 advantage on the glass. Both teams committed 10 turnovers.

Head Coaches

Edinboro: Pat Cleary (Edinboro '99) -- 63-67, 5th Year

Pat Cleary was introduced as Edinboro's tenth head coach on March 26, 2013 after head coach Greg Walcavich announced his retirement. Cleary served as Walcavich's assistant coach for 14 years.
Cleary has now led the Fighting Scots to the PSAC Tournament in three of the last four years.
Cleary's first three teams improved each year since his appointment, with his 2015-16 team earning the third seed in the PSAC West Tournament with a 15-11 overall record and 14-8 league mark. A year ago the Fighting Scots came in at 8-18 overall and 6-16 in the PSAC West, with injuries forcing the Fighting Scots to suit up as few as seven players in February.
He guided Edinboro to the PSAC Tournament for the first time in 2014-15 with a 14-13 record, a four-game improvement over his first year, after being chosen to finish eighth in the PSAC West preseason poll. His first Boro squad finished 10-16 in 2013-14.

Mercyhurst: Gary Manchel, Vermont '85 (249-172, 15th Year; Career: 380-297, 24th Year)

Gary Manchel is the winningest coach in Mercyhurst history with 249 wins. He led the Lakers to their first PSAC Championship in 2016 and their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance. His teams have made the league tournament in 14 out of his 15 years (GLIAC and PSAC combined). The Vermont alum was named PSAC West Coach of the Year in 2011 and 2016.
Manchel spent nine years as head coach at UMass Lowell from 1992-2001. He was named NE-10 Coach of the Year in 2001 after leading the River Hawks to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Before joining Mercyhurst, he served two years as an assistant coach at Ohio. Manchel was also an assistant coach at Yale and served as a graduate assistant coach at Slippery Rock

The Fighting Scots
Probable Starters

P / No.	Player	Ht/Wt/Yr	Hometown	PPG / RPG
F / 23	Mike Beck	6-3/220/Sr.	Erie, Pa.	6.6 / 2.0
F / 3	Keshawn Liggins	6-5/205/Sr.	Middletown, Id.	23.7 / 10.5
F / 21	Jack Frank	6-8/220/Jr.	Tampa, Fla.	2.4 / 6.1
G / 5	Jaymon Mason	6-3/185/R-Jr.	Edinboro, Pa.	16.4 / 4.6
G / 4	Anthony Coleman	6-3/210/Jr.	Wickliffe, Ohio	16.0 / 4.3

Top Reserves

F / 45	Trey Staunch	6-4/265/Jr.	West Middlesex, Pa.	7.1 / 3.4
G / 13	Alex Jay	6-3/180/Fr.	Edinboro, Pa.	3.5 / 1.6
G / 14	Jaryn Simpson	6-1/150/Fr.	Erie, Pa.	3.4 / 1.4

Scouting the Fighting Scots

Edinboro has won five of its last seven games to improve to 16-9 overall and 13-8 in the PSAC West. The two losses have been to the top two teams in the Western Division, 77-69 at Indiana(Pa.) on Wednesday, and 72-71 to Gannon as the Golden Knights hit three free throws with 0.4 seconds remaining. Edinboro has now qualified for postseason action three times in the last four years under head coach Pat Cleary. The 16 wins is the highest win total since Cleary took over as head coach. His 2015-16 squad finished 15-11.
The Fighting Scots are locked in to fourth place in the PSAC West after being picked to finish eighth in the division in the PSAC Coaches' Preseason Poll. They will host fifth seed Pitt-Johnstown on Monday night in the first round of the PSAC Tournament.
Four of Edinboro's losses have come on buzzer-beaters in the last month, with three at McComb Fieldhouse. The Kutztown setback came on a basket with 0.8 seconds remaining, as the Golden Bears prevailed 91-89. A week later, Edinboro again lost in the final seconds as IUP hit a 3-pointer with 1.8 ticks showing for a 70-67 win. Mercyhurst hit the game-winner with 13.2 seconds to play to hand the Scots an 80-79 defeat. In the most recent loss, Gannon's Zay Jackson made three free throws with 0.4 seconds showing to hand the Scots a 72-71 defeat.
After a year filled with injuries in 2016-17, Edinboro has been able to start the same starting five in all 25 games. The Fighting Scots rank seventh in the PSAC in scoring offense (79.8 ppg.) and are eighth in scoring defense (74.8 ppg.). They are third in turnover margin (+1.8) and second in free throw percentage (77.6 pct.).
Keshawn Liggins, Anthony Coleman, and Jaymon Mason are combining for over 56 points per game. Each is capable of putting up big numbers. They have combined for ten 30-point games. with Liggins reaching the mark in six contests. The last came as he scored 36 points in an 86-73 win over Clarion in the first meeting. He dropped in a career-high 39 points vs. Seton Hill in the first meeting. Coleman posted a season-best 32-point effort at Gannon, and had 30 points in the upset of then eighth-ranked Shippensburg. When Coleman led Edinboro with 19 points at Lock Haven, it marked the only time this season Edinboro has not had a scorer reach 20 points. Mason has now had 15 career 30-point games after scoring a season-high 33 points against Kutztown, his second 30-point effort of the year. He had 32 points vs. Daemen.
Second all-time leading scorer and preseason All-American Jaymon Mason battled an early-season injury, but he was named the PSAC West Athlete of the Week earlier this week after a pair of big games. Last Wednesday he came up with one of his most impressive efforts despite battling foul trouble. He made 9-of-15 field goals, including 3-of-5 3-pointers, to finish with 24 points. He added six assists. He scored 22 points at Clarion, and at IUP had 21 points..The senior guard had a season-high 33-point effort against Kutztown, making 13-of-15 free throws. He had 32 points at Daemen, dropping in 6-of-12 3-pointers while going 10-of-11 at the charity stripe. Mason is averaging 16.4 ppg. and is second on the team with 85 assists. He has made 59-of-157 3-pointers.
Mason is now just 13 points shy of breaking the Edinboro career scoring record. He has 1,942 points, while his father, Tyrone Mason, holds the record with 1,954 points. Jaymon is also fifth in career assists with 400.
Keshawn Liggins was selected the Division II Bulletin Player of the Month for January. He has had 14 double-doubles and has pulled down 10-or-more rebounds in 15 contests. His 14th double-double came last Saturday as he finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds at Clarion. The 6'5" senior leads the PSAC in scoring (23.7 ppg.) and ranks eighth in Division II, and is third and 14th, respectively, in rebounding (10.5 rpg.). He scored a career-high 39 points vs. Seton Hill and 38 against Charleston. Liggins is a transfer from Idaho State and has been an ironman, ranking sixth in the country in minutes per game (38.3). His 14 double-doubles ranks third in the PSAC and 11th in Division II.
Liggins has scored 592 points this season, which ranks seventh in a season at Edinboro.
Anthony Coleman is a multi-faceted scorer who can burn the opposition from deep, or drive strong to the basket. The transfer from Cincinnati State CC displayed the former in the first meeting with. Gannon as he burned the Golden Knights for a season-high 32 points, making 7-of-12 3-pointers. The latter was in evidence against Clarion in the first meeting, as the 6'3" guard consistently drove to the hoop, ending the night with 24 points (8-of-12 FGs, 8-of-10 FTs). He added 10 rebounds for his first double-double. Coleman has had six games of 20-or-more points, including 30 points in an upset of Shippensburg. He is the top 3-point threat on the team, making 63-of-153 3-pointers. He ranks sixth in the PSAC in 3-point percentage (41.2 pct.) and is seventh in 3-pointers made per game (2.52).
The Fighting Scots posted the biggest win in Cleary's four-plus seasons as head coach earlier this year, an 88-86 triumph over eighth-ranked Shippensburg. Edinboro had previously upset 16th-ranked Indiana(Pa.), 79-77 in overtime, in 2014-15.
A two-year starter at right tackle on the offensive lineman, Trey Staunch is now making a name for himself on the hardwood. A former standout in football and basketball at West Middlesex High School, the 6'4", 265 lb. junior is playing a larger role each game. On the season, he is averaging 7.1 points and 3.4 rebounds, but over the last nine games he is averaging 10.0 ppg. and 5.0 rpg. He is an excellent free throw shooter, hitting 84.4 percent at the charity stripe. Staunch joined the basketball team at the conclusion of the football season.
The combination of Jack Frank and Staunch is providing the Fighting Scots with plenty of production in the post. Frank, a 6'8" junior, is Edinboro's second-leading rebounder at 6.1 per game. He pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds in the first meeting with California(Pa.) and added 11 vs. Clarion in meeting number one.
A week ago, Mike Beck had the best game of his career as the 6'4" senior scored a career-high 23 points against Slippery Rock. He made 5-of-8 3-pointers while playing his usual strong defense. Beck has made 35-of-88 3-pointers while averaging 6.7 ppg. He has been assigned some of the top scorers in the PSAC defensively.
The freshman tandem of Alex Jay and Jaryn Simpson possesses some impressive genes and have provided the Fighting Scots with valuable minutes. Jay is the son of Sarah (Bishop) Jay, who ranks fourth in career scoring for the Edinboro women's basketball team, Simpson's father Bronze, is one of the all-time leading scorers and rebounders at Gannon. Jay, a 6'3" guard, is averaging 3.5 ppg. in 13.4 minutes per game and has made 17-of-49 3-pointers. Simpson, a 6'1" guard, is averaging 3.4 ppg. with 47 assists in 14.3 minutes per game.

Scouting the Lakers

Mercyhurst suffered its third straight loss on Wednesday, dropping a 71-64 decision to a hot Pitt-Johnstown team. That left the Lakers at 12-13 overall and 9-12 in the PSAC West. Mercyhurst will be the sixth seed in the upcoming PSAC Tournament, and will play at the third seed, either Slippery Rock or Gannon, on Monday. Mercyhurst has now made the PSAC Tournament all nine years as a league member.
Head coach Gary Manchel's teams have always featured plenty of depth and outstanding defense. This year is no exception. The Lakers ranks second in the PSAC and 11th in Division II in scoring defense at 64.9 ppg. The Lakers have held 11 opponents under 65 points, with seven games in the 50's. They average 67.7 ppg. on offense, good for 17th in the PSAC. They are fifth in the PSAC in field goal percentage defense (43.3 pct.), and fourth in rebounding margin (+4.2). Manchel makes full use of a deep bench, with ten players averaging over nine minutes per game.
Mercyhurst has gone 9-4 at home, but the Lakers are just 3-9 away from the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. However, they have won two of their last three games on the road, with the loss by two points in overtime at California(Pa.). Three of the road defeats have been by three points or less.
The Lakers showcase a pair of players in double digits in Lorenzo Collier and Malcolm Walters. One of the two has led Mercyhurst in scoring in 23 of 25 games. The duo also represents most of the Lakers' threat from beyond the 3-point arc, combining for 122 of Mercyhurst's 175 3-pointers. Collier, a 6'3" senior, averages a team-leading 15.4 ppg. He has made 62-of-176 3-pointers. Walters, a 6'2" senior, is a former transfer from Akron who comes off a 20-point effort against Pitt-Johnstown, making 6-of-8 3-pointers. He averages 14.3 ppg. with 60 3-pointers in 157 attempts. He is also second on the team assists (54) and steals (32), and averages 4.2 rpg.
Patrick Smith and Edvaldo Ferreira form a talented and physical inside tandem. A 6'5", 240 lb. junior, Smith is the team's leading rebounder at 8.2 per game while scoring 8.44 ppg. He is a former Navy veteran who previously played at Montgomery CC. Ferreira hails from the Cape Verde Islands and played at the CC of Rhode Island. A 6'5" junior, he averages 5.4 ppg. and 4.2 rpg.

Jaymon Mason in the Record Books SEASON RECORDS | CAREER RECORDS

CAREER SCORING: Second all-time with 1,942 points.
CAREER SCORING AVERAGE: Tied for fourth at 18.7 ppg.
CAREER 3-POINTERS: Is second in career 3-pointers made with 226 3-pointers made and is second in career 3-pointers attempted with 584. Is also seventh in career 3-point field goal percentage at 38.7 percent
CAREER FREE THROWS MADE: Broke Bryan Theriot's school record of 402 free throws made in the season opener. Mason now holds the record with 488.
CAREER FREE THROWS ATTEMPTED: Ranks first with 583 free throw attempts.
CAREER FREE THROW PERCENTAGE: Ranks sixth at 83.7 percent
CAREER ASSISTS: Is fifth with 400
CAREER FIELD GOALS MADE: Ranks fifth with 614
CAREER FIELD GOALS ATTEMPTED: Ranks third with 1,442

NEXT FOR THE FIGHTING SCOTS: PSAC Tournament -- Monday, February 26 vs. Pitt-Johnstown -- 7:30 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#23 Mike Beck: F/G; 6' 3"; Sophomore

#5 Jaymon Mason: G; 6' 3"; Redshirt Sophomore

#15 Maceo Baston II: G/F; 6' 5"; Senior

#23 Mike Beck: F/G; 6' 4"; Senior

#21 Jack Frank: F; 6' 8"; Junior

#5 Jaymon Mason: G; 6' 3"; Redshirt Senior

#4 Anthony Coleman: G; 6' 3"; Junior

#13 Alex Jay: G; 6' 3"; Freshman

#3 Keshawn Liggins: G/F; 6' 5"; Senior

#14 Jaryn Simpson: G; 6' 1"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#23 Mike Beck
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: F/G

#5 Jaymon Mason
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Sophomore
: G

#15 Maceo Baston II
: 6' 5"; Senior
: G/F

#23 Mike Beck
: 6' 4"; Senior
: F/G

#21 Jack Frank
: 6' 8"; Junior
: F

#5 Jaymon Mason
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Senior
: G

#4 Anthony Coleman
: 6' 3"; Junior
: G

#13 Alex Jay
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: G

#3 Keshawn Liggins
: 6' 5"; Senior
: G/F

#14 Jaryn Simpson
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: G

Edinboro University Athletics

Scoreboard

Scoreboard

Edinboro Wraps Up Regular Season Hosting Local Rival Mercyhurst

Players Mentioned

#23 Mike Beck

#5 Jaymon Mason

#15 Maceo Baston II

#23 Mike Beck

#21 Jack Frank

#5 Jaymon Mason

#4 Anthony Coleman

#13 Alex Jay

#3 Keshawn Liggins

#14 Jaryn Simpson

Players Mentioned

#23 Mike Beck

#5 Jaymon Mason

#15 Maceo Baston II

#23 Mike Beck

#21 Jack Frank

#5 Jaymon Mason

#4 Anthony Coleman

#13 Alex Jay

#3 Keshawn Liggins

#14 Jaryn Simpson