ERIE, Pa. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a dominant start, a dramatic collapse and a frantic final minute, the Mercyhurst Lakers survived a furious fourth-quarter rally by the New Haven Chargers to secure a 66-63 victory in a Northeast Conference women’s basketball matchup Thursday night at Mercyhurst Athletic Center.

The contest pivoted on a staggering reversal of momentum. Mercyhurst, led by a scintillating first-half performance from junior guard Jenna Van Schaik of Cincinnati, Ohio, built a commanding 42-22 lead by halftime. The Lakers’ offense flowed effortlessly in the opening quarters, scoring 21 points in each of the first two periods, while their defense stifled New Haven into 22 points on 30 percent shooting and forced 12 turnovers.

Van Schaik was the catalyst, scoring 16 of her game-high 25 points before the break. Her backcourt partner, Sofia Wilson of Avon Lake, Ohio, added 10 first-half points as the Lakers connected on 7 of 16 three-point attempts and capitalized on 11 Chargers turnovers to build their substantial advantage.

The third quarter saw the offensive well run dry for the home team. Mercyhurst managed only 10 points in the period, shooting 3 of 13 from the field. Meanwhile, New Haven, despite continued struggles, began to chip away, closing the quarter on a 7-0 run capped by a Jasmine McKay-assisted three-pointer from Addisen Sulikowski of Saco, Maine, to trim the deficit to 52-37.

The true drama unfolded in the final frame. The Chargers, who entered the fourth quarter having scored only 37 points, nearly doubled their output in the last 10 minutes. A combination of relentless offensive rebounding, finally falling outside shots, and increased defensive pressure fueled a 26-14 quarter. New Haven shot 8 of 15 from the field in the fourth, including 4 of 8 from three-point range.

Sulikowski, who finished with 17 points, and McKay, who provided a critical spark off the bench with 8 points and 3 assists, hit key shots during the surge. Aniya McDonald-Perry, who led New Haven with 16 points, attacked the rim consistently. Her layup with 1:15 remaining brought the Chargers within a single possession at 61-59.

After Mercyhurst’s Cici Hernandez of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, who scored 18 points, split a pair of free throws, McKay nailed a three-pointer with 43 seconds left to tie the game at 63-63, completing a comeback from a 20-point deficit.

The Lakers’ composure was tested in the final minute. Van Schaik was fouled on the ensuing possession and calmly sank both free throws with 42 seconds remaining to reclaim a 65-63 lead. After a New Haven turnover, Wilson was fouled and made the first of two free throws with 6 seconds left, extending the lead to three. Lindsay Hogan of Bayville, New York, secured the defensive rebound on the miss for New Haven, but McKay’s desperation three-pointer at the buzzer to tie was off the mark.

While Mercyhurst’s efficiency waned significantly in the second half, their first-half execution and performance at the free-throw line proved decisive. The Lakers made 19 of 24 free throws, including several clutch ones down the stretch, while New Haven attempted only 11, making nine. The Lakers also won the turnover battle, committing 12 to New Haven’s 20, which led to a 21-9 advantage in points off turnovers.

Despite being out-rebounded 39-26 and allowing 14 offensive boards, Mercyhurst’s early cushion and late poise at the charity stripe secured the win. Both teams now hold identical 5-13 overall records.

New Haven’s next game is Saturday at Saint Francis (Pa.). Mercyhurst travels to Chicago State on Saturday. The two teams will meet again in a rematch next Thursday in New Haven.