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Edinboro University Athletics

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Michaela Barnes vs Shippensburg
Matt Durisko
Michaela Barnes broke her own school record with 43 points.
78
Winner Edinboro EU 11-7,8-5 PSAC
61
Mercyhurst Mercy 5-15,5-9 PSAC
Winner
Edinboro EU
11-7,8-5 PSAC
78
Final
61
Mercyhurst Mercy
5-15,5-9 PSAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Edinboro EU 19 21 19 19 78
Mercyhurst Mercy 21 18 8 14 61

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | Bob Shreve, Sports Information Director

43! Michaela Barnes Breaks School Record in 78-61 Win at Mercyhurst

ERIE, Pa. – For those that took in the Edinboro at Mercyhurst game on Wednesday night, they were treated to one of the outstanding efforts seen in quite some time, or at least over a year. Michaela Barnes broke her own school record with 43 points to spearhead an impressive second half, leading Edinboro to a 78-61 victory.

The Fighting Scots won their fourth straight game and seventh in the last eight to improve to 11-7 overall and 9-5 in the PSAC West. Mercyhurst, which was coming off an upset of Cal U on Saturday, fell to 5-15 and 5-9, respectively. Edinboro has now won 16 of the last 17 meetings with the Lakers.

Barnes and freshman guard Rana Elhusseini put on an incredible display, combining for 67 points as Elhusseini fell just shy of her season high with 24 points. At one point, the guard tandem scored 63 of Edinboro's first 71 points.

In addition, they combined for 37 straight points from the first quarter to the third quarter. Bridgette Shaffer's 3-pointer with 2:59 remaining in the first quarter knotted the score at 12-12. Barnes and Elhusseini would score the next 37 points before Shaffer cut to the basket and took a pretty pass from Cheniya Sharpe to make it 51-43 with 3:23 to play in the third quarter.

As the night went on, two things became apparent. The Fighting Scots were taking control and no one could stop Barnes. The 5'5" senior consistently drove to the hoop or pulled up in the paint for jumpers. She would make 15-of-28 field goal attempts, missing her only three 3-point attempts, and convert 13-of-14 shots at the line. She became just the fourth Fighting Scot to reach 1,700 career points in the first half, and ended the night with 1,724 points.

Barnes began the night with eight points in the first quarter as Mercyhurst held a 21-19 advantage after ten minutes. The Lakers made 9-of-14 shots in the first quarter. She would add 13 points in the second quarter, with Elhusseini adding eight for all 21 of Edinboro's points.

The Fighting Scots would hold a slim 40-39 lead at intermission. The first half featured eight lead changes and 13 ties, with neither team leading by more than four points.

There would be one more tie in the contest, that at 43-43 with 6:36 left in the third quarter when Emily Shopene scored on a layup. Elhuesseini would score back-to-back baskets to give the Fighting Scots the lead for good. Edinboro would run off 10 straight points to take a 53-43 lead. Eventually, the run grew to 27-4 as Edinboro would hold a 70-47 advantage four minutes into the fourth quarter. Barnes contributed 15 points and Elhusseini 10 as the Scots were 8-of-14 from the floor and 11-of-11 at the line.

On Saturday, Mercyhurst used a huge third-quarter advantage to upset Cal. It was Edinboro gaining a big advantage on Wednesday, outscoring the Lakers 19-8. Barnes would score eight in the period, with Elhusseini actually leading the way with nine.

With 29 points after three quarters and a 59-47 lead, the fourth quarter came down to Barnes reaching 30 points for the sixth time this season, and just how many points would she finish with. A pair of free throws with just over seven minutes left gave Barnes her sixth 30-point game of the season and ninth of her career.   

Barnes would eclipse her season-high of 35 points with 6:11 to play with two more free throws to make it 68-47, leaving 40 points and the school record within reach. Her jumper from the foul line on the next possession pushed her total to 38 points. With 5:13 remaining, Barnes made one-of-two free throws, giving her 39 points and Edinboro a 71-49 lead.

Points 40 and 41 came on free throws with 3:59 left, giving the Scots a 76-51 advantage. That left her one shy of tying the school record she set a year ago against East Stroudsburg. The record would come with 2:38 remaining on her patented spin move to the basket, laying the ball in for 43 points.

Head coach Callie Wheeler immediately called timeout to remove her, with the crowd giving Barnes a nice ovation as Mercyhurst graciously announced her accomplishment.

While Barnes scored 43 points, Elhusseini finished with 24 markers, two shy of her season high. She made 7-of-12 field goals and was 10-of-11 at the line. Shaffer added eight points, making 2-of-4 3-pointers. The forward has now made at least one 3-pointer in all 18 games. Sharpe led the Scots with eight rebounds.

Edinboro would shoot 44.1 percent for the game (26-of-59), going 2-of-14 on 3-pointers. With Barnes and Elhusseini leading the way, they would go 24-of-27 at the line. After shooting over 64 percent in the first quarter, Mercyhurst would end the night at 42.1 percent (24-of-57), along with a 2-for-16 effort on 3-pointers. The Lakers were 11-of-15 at the line. The two teams pulled down 34 rebounds apiece. Edinboro committed 11 turnovers and Mercyhurst 12.

Amber Renz led Mercyhurst with 19 points, with 17 of those coming in the first half. She was the only Laker in double figures, as Kori Sidwell was next with eight points.

The Fighting Scots return to action one week, hosting another local rival, Gannon, on Wednesday, February. The contest is the second EUKnighted game of the season between the two rivals, and will serve as a fundraiser for the Pa. Soldiers & Sailors Home. Fans can enjoy the Hoopy Hour at the Edinboro Hotel from 4-7 p.m.
 
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