Dec. 8, 2007

SAULT STE. MARIE - Lake Superior State seniors Shalyn Beauchamp, Danielle Makins and Amanda Epolito all hit season highs in scoring to lead the Laker women's basketball team to an 87-76 victory over Mercyhurst on Saturday at Bud Cooper Gymnasium.

Beauchamp scored a career-high 22 points to go along with seven rebounds and seven assists. She dominated the first half with 17 points, making 6-of-9 field-goal attempts and 3-of-4 from three-point range. LSSU (3-5 overall, 1-3 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) led 46-35 at halftime.

Makins finished with 16 points while Epolito came off the bench and contributed eight points, three assists and three steals. She hit a key three-pointer to give LSSU a 58-57 lead with 13:36 remaining in the game and stop a 7-0 Mercyhurst run.

LSSU freshmen Allison Jaynes and Emily Joseph combined to total 33 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and five steals.

After stopping Mercyhurst's comeback, LSSU reclaimed control of the game with a 9-0 run for a 72-60 lead with 7:46 remaining. The run included a field goal and two free throws by Makins, a three-pointer by Joseph and a basket by Jaynes. Jaynes added two steals, and Beauchamp had one.

LSSU shot 53.3 percent from the field, including 65.5 percent in the first half. The Lakers made 11-of-20 three-point attempts and 12-of-14 free throws for the game. They out-rebounded Mercyhurst, 33-29.

Freshman Amy Achesinski totaled 19 points and nine rebounds to lead Mercyhurst (2-7 overall, 0-3 GLIAC).

Lake Superior State plays host to Ferris State at 1 p.m. on Dec. 15.