ERIE, Pa. (Interstat) — Jake Lemelman scored 20 points to lead Mercyhurst to a 70-61 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson in a Northeast Conference men’s basketball game Wednesday night at Mercyhurst Athletic Center.

The Lakers never trailed after Bernie Blunt’s opening 3-pointer, maintaining a steady lead throughout. Mercyhurst led 35-28 at halftime and matched its first-half output after the break. The Knights cut the deficit to four points multiple times in the second half but could not complete the comeback.

Arthur Cox led Fairleigh Dickinson with 15 points. Mercyhurst shot 51% from the floor and capitalized on Knights turnovers, scoring 13 points off them. Attendance was 1,027.