February 9, 2008 - The last regular season trip to Erie, Pa. ended with two losses for the Hillsdale College men's basketball team.

A quick start to the second half helped send Mercyhurst to a 90-80 win over the Chargers Saturday afternoon. Hillsdale is now 12-11 overall and 6-8 in the GLIAC.

The Lakers broke open a game that was tied at halftime with a 22-8 run in the first 10 minutes of the second half to take the lead for good. The Chargers did battle back to cut a 12-point deficit to five in the final minute of the game, but the team ran out of time.

The game got off to a spectacular start for Hillsdale's Tim Homan. He hit five straight 3-point field goals in the game's first eight minutes to help spring the Chargers to an early 22-13 lead. But Mercyhurst clawed back with an 11-0 run to go on top, 24-22. The Chargers would never enjoy the lead again.

Homan and junior center Tony Gugino scored all of Hillsdale's first 28 points, and each had excellent individual performances. Homan finished with seven 3-point field goals, and a team-high 26 points for the game. Gugino made 10 free throws, and finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Gugino had 20 of his points in the first half.

Mercyhurst's Brian McTear and T.J. Mathis combined for 49 points to help counter the Chargers' strong 1-2 scoring combination. Mercyhurst's Ido Cohen played a key role in the win for the Lakers, scoring 17 points off the bench.

Hillsdale will host Ferris State University at Jesse Philips Arena starting at 8 p.m.Thursday night.

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