Mercyhurst Lakers Face CCSU Blue Devils in Crucial NEC Matchup

The Mercyhurst Lakers (14-15, 9-7 NEC) conclude their regular season schedule with a pivotal road game against the Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) Blue Devils (16-11, 10-6 NEC) on Thursday, February 26th, at 7:00 p.m. EST in New Britain, Connecticut. The game will be broadcast live on NECFrontRow, as the Lakers aim to secure a home playoff berth.

The Opponent: CCSU Blue Devils

The CCSU Blue Devils, coached by Patrick Sellers in his fifth season, present a significant challenge. They currently hold a 16-11 overall record and a 10-6 record in NEC play. The Blue Devils are spearheaded by sophomore forward Darin Smith Jr., who leads the NEC in scoring with an impressive 20.2 points per game. Smith Jr. also boasts a remarkable 90.3% free throw percentage, ranking him first in the conference. He shoots 45.8% from the field and 36.7% from beyond the arc.

Max Frazier is a key contributor for CCSU, leading the team in rebounding with 7.2 per game and averaging 1.7 blocks. He also shoots a team-high 65.1% from the field. Jay Rodgers directs the Blue Devils’ offense, averaging 7.0 assists per game, while Melo Sanchez provides a sharpshooting threat, connecting on 44.4% of his three-point attempts.

Lakers Triumph Over LIU in Senior Night Victory

Mercyhurst enters the contest following a thrilling 91-83 victory over conference champion LIU on Senior Night. Qadir Martin led the Lakers with a dominant performance, scoring 25 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Jake Lemelman added 20 points, while Bernie Blunt III contributed 18 points and three assists. Deshaun Jackson Jr. Matched his career-high with 14 points, adding three assists and three rebounds.

Martin’s Recent Dominance

Qadir Martin has been a force for the Lakers over the past three games, consistently delivering strong performances. He has scored 19+ points and secured 8+ rebounds in each of his last three appearances, shooting an impressive 70.6% from the field during that stretch. His season field goal percentage stands at 58.2%.

Lakers’ Offensive Surge

Despite averaging 65 points per game Mercyhurst has demonstrated an increased offensive output recently, exceeding 80 points in each of their last three games.

Laker Leaders and NEC Rankings

• Bernie Blunt III: Third in the NEC in points per game (17.2), second in free throw percentage (85.4%), and ninth in field goal percentage (41.9%).
• Jake Lemelman: Eighth in the NEC in field goal percentage (44.2%) and eighth in assists (3.0 per game). He also holds a fifth-place ranking in assist/turnover ratio (1.8).
• Qadir Martin: Leads the NEC in blocks (2.4 per game) and is sixth in rebounds (6.8 per game). He is third in NEC play in field goal percentage, shooting 61.2% from the field.
• Deshaun Jackson Jr.: Tenth in the NEC in assists (2.9 per game).

Series History

Mercyhurst holds a 1-2 overall record against CCSU. The Lakers secured their first win against the Blue Devils earlier this season in Erie, winning 79-61. Mercyhurst is 1-1 at home against CCSU and 0-1 on the road. Full Schedule and Results

Looking Ahead

This matchup against CCSU is crucial for Mercyhurst as they strive to secure a home playoff game. A victory would significantly boost their chances, while a loss could jeopardize their home-court advantage. The game promises to be a competitive and exciting contest between two strong NEC teams.