ERIE, Pa. — In a thrilling encounter on Saturday, Lafayette emerged victorious against Mercyhurst with a final score of 77-73, thanks in large part to Alex Chaikin’s impressive performance off the bench.
Chaikin contributed significantly, netting 20 points while demonstrating remarkable accuracy, hitting 7 of 8 shots from the field, including 6 of 7 from beyond the arc, which proved vital for the Leopards, who now hold a record of 5-5 for the season.
Justin Vander Baan also played a crucial role, putting up 13 points while achieving a shooting percentage of 3 of 5 from the field and converting 7 of 9 free throw attempts. His solid performance was complemented by his six rebounds and five blocks. Additionally, Andrew Phillips added to the team’s efforts with 10 points; he shot 4 of 6 from the floor and managed to sink 1 of 3 from the charity stripe.
On the other side, Shemar Rathan-Mayes led the Lakers with 21 points and dished out four assists, showcasing his all-around skills. Aidan Reichert was also a key player for Mercyhurst, recording 18 points, six rebounds, and three steals, while teammate Jeff Planutis added another 13 points to the scoreboard.
The first half saw Chaikin contributing nine points, but Lafayette trailed at the intermission, with a score of 38-31 in favor of Mercyhurst.