ERIE, Pa. (Interstat) — In a game that defied pregame projections, the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights rallied from a halftime deficit to secure a 74-67 victory over the Mercyhurst Lakers in a Northeast Conference men’s basketball matchup on Friday night at Mercyhurst Athletic Center.

The win, which improved Fairleigh Dickinson’s record to 4-10 overall, was secured by a dominant second-half performance, outscoring the Lakers 46-35 after trailing 32-28 at the break. The loss dropped Mercyhurst to 5-9.

The most critical phase of the contest unfolded early in the second half, immediately shifting the game’s momentum. After a first half characterized by sporadic runs and a slim Mercyhurst lead fueled by Bernie Blunt’s 13 points, the Knights emerged from the locker room with a decisive 11-3 surge. The run was powered almost entirely by the sharp shooting of guard Eric Parnell. The junior from Melbourne, Florida, hit three consecutive 3-pointers in the span of just two minutes and 42 seconds, erasing the deficit and giving Fairleigh Dickinson a 39-35 lead it would not relinquish.

Parnell’s flurry, assisted twice by 7-foot center Cyril Martynov of Barrie, Canada, forced a stunned Mercyhurst squad into a timeout. It transformed the Knights from a team playing catch-up into one controlling the pace. Parnell finished with a team-high 19 points, all but two of which came after halftime, providing the essential offensive spark.

While Parnell’s shooting provided the turning point, the Knights’ victory was cemented by balanced scoring and key contributions. Joey Niesman, a guard from Oswego, Illinois, added 16 points, including a crucial 3-pointer with 3:25 remaining that extended the lead to seven points after Mercyhurst had closed within four. Forward Taeshaud Jackson of Denver, Colorado, provided a steady presence with 16 points and a game-high nine rebounds, controlling the glass on both ends.

For Mercyhurst, the offensive burden fell heavily on guard Bernie Blunt. The Morgantown, Pennsylvania, native delivered a game-high 21 points, showcasing an ability to score at all three levels. However, he received inconsistent support. Jake Lemelman of Newton, Massachusetts, added 12 points, and Deshaun Jackson of Covington, Kentucky, contributed 10 points and six assists, but the Lakers’ offense stalled at critical junctures in the second half, shooting just 35 percent from the floor after halftime.

Defensively, Fairleigh Dickinson successfully disrupted Mercyhurst’s rhythm, generating 14 turnovers and blocking five shots. The Lakers’ Qadir Martin of Staten Island, New York, recorded two blocks, but the Knights’ interior defense, led by Martynov and Jackson, limited second-chance opportunities down the stretch.

The game’s conclusion was a tense, foul-plagued affair. Mercyhurst, employing a deliberate fouling strategy in the final minute, sent Fairleigh Dickinson to the line repeatedly. The Knights, however, were clinical under pressure, making seven of eight free throws in the final 37 seconds to seal the win. Eric Parnell and Taeshaud Jackson combined to go a perfect 6-for-6 from the stripe in the closing moments.

The result was a stark contrast to pregame expectations. National statistical models had projected Mercyhurst with an 82.2 percent probability to win, and the Lakers had been installed as 6.5-point favorites. The combined point total of 141 also went under the pregame over/under line of 135.

The announced attendance at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center was 257.

Fairleigh Dickinson looks to build on the conference road win when it travels to Saint Francis (PA) on Sunday. Mercyhurst aims to rebound at home against Le Moyne, also on Sunday.