SLIPPERY ROCK — There are several ways to put an 0-2 start in the rear-view mirror, but a 46-point win will do just fine.

Slippery Rock University's Amanda Nero led a group of five players who scored in double figures with 19 points and The Rock benefitted from 31 Mercyhurst College turnovers in a 99-53 win at Morrow Field House Tuesday night.

"I didn't realize the scoreboard went up that high," said Rock coach Laurel Heilman with a laugh. "It was nice to see we're capable of that. Over the last two or three years, we've been averaging in the mid-50s."

SRU (1-2) lost its first two games to Bellarmine (76-56) and Fayetteville St. (81-65).

But against Mercyhurst, The Rock led 40-28 at halftime and dominated the final 20 minutes.

SRU received encouraging performances from several underclassmen.

Nero, a sophomore guard, connected on four of five 3-point goals.

Another sophomore in the backcourt, Chere' Marshall, added 11 points and three assists.

Sophomore forward Jessica Schake chipped in with five points, five rebounds and three assists.

Nero, Schake and Marshall all started the game as well.

"We're in a transition year," said Heilman. "The young kids are going to get thrown into the fire.

"Hopefully, tonight was a sign of things to come."

SRU saw three upperclassmen step up as well, including senior forward Amanda Chojnacki, who tallied 11 points.

Junior center Nijha McNeely came off the bench to score 12 points, and junior guard Dana Stewart scored 15 points and added three assists and five steals.

"Dana's energy level out there was great," said Heilman. "She lifts up everybody else around her."

SRU forced the Lakers (1-2) into a poor shooting night as Mercyhurst shot just 22-of-54 from the field.

With the game over from a competitive standpoint midway through the second half, Heilman emptied her bench.

The Rock had 13 different players see time on the floor.

"I'm happy that a lot of our players got in," Heilman said. "The basketball season is very long and everybody wants to get in and contribute."

Mercyhurst was led by Julie Anderson's 17 points and 15 points from North Allegheny High product Rachel Divosevic.

SRU will host Gannon on Monday.

The Rock's first PSAC West game is Jan. 10 at home against Lock Haven.

Mercyhurst College 53Katlyn Petit 2-6 0-0 4, Julie Anderson 5-9 4-4 17, Stephanie Prischak 1-6 0-0 2, Rachel Divosevic 7-17 0-1 15, Erica Elliott 0-0 1-2 1, Sasha Samara 2-5 0-0 4, Priscila Nascimento 0-1 0-0 0, Amy Butler 0-0 0-0 0, Mara Dreiser 2-5 0-0 4, Lindsay Whipkey 3-5 0-1 6. Totals: 22-54 5-8 53.

Slippery Rock University 99Jessica Schake 2-4 1-2 5, Amanda Chojnacki 4-9 3-3 11, Amanda Nero 7-9 1-1 19, Dana Stewart 7-12 1-2 15, Chere' Marshall 4-7 2-3 11, Becky Steele 1-1 0-0 2, Nikki Presto 0-3 1-2 1, Kara Spagnola 0-0 0-0 0, Alissa Schake 1-2 0-0 2, Amanda Kaufman 3-3 3-4 9, KellyAnn Staudinger 1-4 4-5 6, Colleen Smith 2-5 1-2 6, Nijha McNeely 6-7 0-0 12. Totals: 38-66 17-24 99.

Halftime score: SRU 40-28.

3-point goals: MC — 4-11 (Petit 0-2, Anderson 3-4, Prischak 0-1, Divosevic 1-1, Samara 0-1, Dreiser 0-1, Whipkey 0-1). SRU — 6-12 (Nero 4-5, Stewart 0-1, Marshall 1-1, Presto 0-2, A. Schake 0-1, Smith 1-2).