ERIE, Pa. (AP) — The Mercyhurst Lakers stormed their way to a 77-51 win against the Penn State-Altoona Lions on Tuesday night, with Jeff Planutis putting on an impressive display of scoring prowess.
The Lakers got off to a strong start, with Planutis scoring early and often to set the tone for the rest of the game. As the first half drew to a close, Mercyhurst had already built up a commanding lead, with the Lions struggling to keep pace.
Despite their best efforts, Penn State-Altoona simply couldn't contain Planutis and the Lakers' offense, which continued to click into high gear as the second half got underway. With Mercyhurst's defense also proving to be more than a match for the Lions, the game quickly turned into a blowout.
The Lakers' bench emptied as the game drew to a close, with the coaching staff able to give playing time to some of the team's younger players. It was a fitting end to a thoroughly dominant performance from Mercyhurst, who will be looking to build on this result in their next outing.
For Penn State-Altoona, the loss will be a tough pill to swallow. Despite some promising moments, the Lions were ultimately outgunned and outplayed by a more experienced and clinical opponent. They'll need to regroup and refocus if they're to have any chance of bouncing back in their next game.