CHICAGO (Interstat) — CJ Ray scored 37 points and grabbed 10 rebounds Saturday to lift Chicago State to a 78-74 men’s basketball win over Mercyhurst at Jones Convocation Center.

The Cougars, who improved to 3-19, avenged a two-point loss to the Lakers from a week prior. Chicago State led 35-30 at halftime and held off a second-half push. Ray, a 6-foot-6 junior from Four Oaks, North Carolina, was the standout, surpassing his season average significantly.

Jake Lemelman led Mercyhurst (11-12) with 21 points and seven assists. Qadir Martin added 19 points and three blocks. The Lakers shot just 27.3% from three-point range. Chicago State’s efficiency from the free-throw line, making 19 attempts, provided a critical margin despite shooting 63.3% there. Attendance was 141.