Butler's Achesinski leads Mercyhurst win
SLIPPERY ROCK — Butler graduate Amy Achesinski scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds Saturday to lead Mercyhurst College to a 60-46 women's basketball triumph over Slippery Rock at Morrow Field House.
The Lakers earned a sweep when their men's team defeated The Rock, 71-56, later in the day.
Achesinski, a senior forward, gave Mercyhurst (11-8, 3-1) its first lead of the day when she sank a layup with two seconds left in the first half. The Lakers went into the locker room with a 23-22 advantage.
Seven of Achesinski's nine rebounds came in the second half as her team pulled away. Dana Banda contributed 14 points and five assists to the victory.
SRU (2-14, 0-4) was led by Marlynda Harland and Sherita Stanley with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Junior guard Shannon Lee had six assists and six rebounds.
The Rock dropped its fourth straight game and sixth in a row against a PSAC West opponent, dating back to last season.
Mercyhurst 71, SRU (men) 56 — The Lakers (13-3, 4-0) won their fifth straight by outscoring The Rock 20-5 in the final 10-plus minutes of the contest.Devin Taylor recorded his third double-double of the season by scoring 12 points and collecting 10 rebounds in a losing effort. SRU slipped to 12-6 overall, 2-2 in PSAC West play.Jabril Bailey added 10 points and six rebounds and Butler graduate Jade Burka contributed nine points and six boards for The Rock.Heiden Ratner, the PSAC's leading scorer at 23.3 points per game, led Mercyhurst weith 19.SRU remains at home Wednesday, hosting California (Pa.) for a women's-men's twinbill beginning at 6 p.m.
