Long Island defeats Mercyhurst 60-58
Mercyhurst 58, Long Island 60: A Thrilling Conference Showdown
In a back-and-forth battle that will be remembered for its dramatic finish, the Long Island Lions edged out the visiting Mercyhurst Lakers 60-58 on Friday night at Steinberg Wellness Center.
The game was a testament to the teams' determination and grit, with both sides trading baskets and displaying impressive defensive performances. Despite being the underdogs, the Lakers gave the home crowd a run for their money, keeping the deficit to just two points in the final seconds of regulation.
Mercyhurst's Jake Lemelman led all scorers with 19 points, while Mykolas Ivanauskas chipped in with 11 rebounds and six points. The Lakers' bench also played a crucial role, providing key contributions throughout the contest.
For Long Island, Malachi Davis paced the team with 18 points, including four from beyond the arc. Greg Gordon added seven rebounds, 13 points, and two assists, while Davis also notched six assists to complement his scoring output.
The first half belonged to Long Island, as they took a 39-26 advantage into halftime. However, Mercyhurst's second-half surge narrowed the gap to just one point with under five minutes remaining. The Lakers' bench responded well to the deficit, however, and the game remained neck-and-neck until the final seconds.
With just over a minute left, Davis sank a crucial three-pointer to give Long Island a 58-55 lead. However, Mercyhurst's Lemelman countered with a layup on the ensuing possession, cutting the deficit to 58-57. The Lakers' Johnson then missed a desperation jumper at the buzzer, securing the win for Long Island.
The advanced statistics highlighted the importance of free throw shooting and defensive efficiency in this contest. Long Island's 68% success rate from the line helped propel them to victory, while Mercyhurst's 12.7% free throw conversion rate proved costly down the stretch.
In a game that was marked by poise and resolve on both sides, the Long Island Lions' win will be remembered as a thrilling conference showdown.