• Box Score

ERIE, Pa. (Jan. 15) – After taking a seven-point lead in to halftime, the Vulcans were outscored by nearly 20 points in the second half to fall at Mercyhurst, 73-62, in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action on Saturday afternoon.

The loss drops the California University of Pennsylvania men's basketball team to 8-5 on the season and evens its' divisional mark at 1-1. Mercyhurst improves to 11-3 during the 2010-11 season and 2-0 in league play. Since joining the PSAC two seasons ago, the Lakers are 4-1 against the Vulcans and have won three-straight after sweeping the series last year.

Forward Rashawd Hatten (Clairton, Pa./Clairton) paced Cal U as the only Vulcan in double-figures recording a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds (seven offensive) on 7-of-15 from the floor and three-of-five from beyond the arc. The 6-7 senior also shot three-of-four from the free-throw line and added four blocked shots and three assists. Through Jan. 9, the Clairton product ranks among the nation's leaders in blocked shots per game.

Juniors CJ Townes (Joppatowne, Md./Joppatowne) and Steve Swiech (Greenock, Pa./Elizabeth-Forward) both added eight points, while sophomore guard Ryne Niemiec (Brownsville, Pa./Beth-Center) contributed seven points off the bench, including two-of-four from the three-point line.

Neither team was able to gain much traction and build a big lead until a Niemiec three-pointer gave the Vulcans a six-point edge, 19-13, at the 10:22-mark. After a 5-0 run by Mercyhurst, Cal U went on a 10-5 run over the next seven-plus minutes book-ended by Hatten treys and capped at the 1:57-mark, 32-23. The lead matched the Vulcans' largest lead of the game before heading into the half up 34-27.

After trailing for most the game, Mercyhurst finished the game on an 18-6 run over the final 5:50, started by a three-pointer by senior guard Heiden Ratner.

For the game, the Lakers shot a higher percentage from the field, 45 percent (26-of-58) to 41 percent (22-of-54). After making a season-high 11 three-pointers against Edinboro on Wednesday, the Vulcans converted on 7-of-20 for 35 percent. Mercyhurst also held a +10-rebound advantage on the glass, 39-29.

Mercyhurst was led by sophomore forward Luis Leao who recorded a double-double with game highs of 24 points and 12 rebounds. Ratner matched his season average with 22 points and freshman Andrew Rickard was the only other Laker in double-figures with 11 points off the bench.

Cal U continues its PSAC West slate on Wednesday, Jan. 19 when it hosts rival IUP at 8 p.m. Last year, the Crimson Hawks swept the Vulcans en route to appearing in the NCAA Division II National Championship game. Live stats will be available by clicking here.