ERIE, Pa. – The Cheyney University men's basketball team opened the PSAC season on Saturday afternoon with an 77-47 loss to host Mercyhurst University in a PSAC crossover contest inside the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.

Junior Dikemba Amugo and Sophomore Zahir Stewart each scored nine points to the lead the Wolves (0-3, 0-1 PSAC East), who lead for the first time this season midway through the first half.

Dajuan Dent led all players with 13 rebounds and three blocked shots and tied teammate Malcom Wolters for game-high scoring honors with 13, to boost the Lakers (2-0, 1-0 PSAC) to the victory.

The Wolves trailed 7-3, but use a 7-to-2 run to take the lead 10-9 with 12:24 to play in a foul-plagued first half.

Stewart went on a personal five-point run, converting on a driving layup as he as he was fouled and three free-throws,  Senior OOlin Ugo made a jumper in the lane to give Cheyney the lead, following a basket from Dent, Senior Craig McGlond made two from the line to make a 12-11 Cheyney advantage.

A steal and a layup from freshman Kyle Parker knotted the score at 14-to-14, with 8:35 remaining in the first half, but the Lakers would end the half on a 16-to-3 run to take a 30-17 lead into the break.

The Wolves pulled within nine points at 38-29 on a layup and free-throw from freshman Cliff St. Juste with 14:43 to play, but the Lakers would score the next nine points to take an 18-point lead and put the game away.

Junior Jonathan Howard scored eight points, Amugo recorded a gamehigh three blocks and grabbed five rebounds, Stewart pulled down six boards to equal Junior Amir Boney for team-high.

???????Cheyney is back in action on Sunday as they take the short trip to Gannon University for another PSAC crossover contest with the Golden Knights, who fell to 1-2, 0-1 PSAC West with a 52-44 loss at home to West Chester on Saturday.

Saturday saw the opening of the PSAC Network with all PSAC basketball games streaming live through the PSAC APP and the host schools Stretch Internet Portal.

Below are the links to follow Sunday's contest which is scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM inside the Hammermill Center.

Live Stats - http://www.sidearmstats.com/gannon/mbball
Live Webcast (FREE) - https://portal.stretchinternet.com/gannon
Live Gameday Audio - http://www.wergfm.com/