CHEYNEY, Pa. – Jr. Rafiq Marshall went 11-11 from the free-throw line en route to a season-high 23 points on his 22^nd birthday, but visiting Mercyhurst University spoiled the party with a 70-56 victory Saturday afternoon in PSAC crossover action inside Cope Hall.

Marshall made 5-9 from the field including both of his three-point shot attempts, but was the only Wolves (0-4, 0-1 PSAC E) who could crack double figures. The Lakers (2-1, 1-0 PSAC W) were paced by Durrell McDonald with 21 points as he connected on 6-9 shots from beyond the arc.

McDonald connected on a three-pointer to open the scoring in the game at the 17:02 mark of the first half. The low scoring affair saw Mercyhurst hold a slim one-point advantage 11-10 at the 10:00 minute mark, but the Lakers would reel off eight straight to take a 19-10 edge.

Fr. Zahir Stewart responded with a triple and four points from Marshall cut the deficit back to four 21-17 with 2:13 left in the half. The Lakers closed the half with a 7-2 run and led 28-19 at the break.

The second half opened with the teams trading baskets with the lead ballooning to as much as 15 and the Wolves pulling to within eight.

A Marshall layup with 12:29 to play, cut the Mercyhurst lead down to nine at 41-32 with 12:29 to play, but an 11-3 blitz by the Lakers would push the lead to 17 and end the suspense.

Marshall added five rebounds and an assist, Jr. Imir Bailey dished out a team-high four assists, scored six points and grabbed thee rebounds and Jr. Craig McGlond contributed with six points and four rebounds.

Cheyney had its best shooting game connecting on 20-42 (.476) shots from the filed including 4-9 (.444) from three-point range and 12-15 (.80) from the free-throw line due mainly to Marshall being a perfect 11-11 from the charity stripe.

The Wolves are back in action on Sunday at 3:00 PM inside Cope Hall when it hosts Gannon University in another PSAC Crossover battle.