ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Roberts Wesleyan University men's basketball team faced a six-point deficit entering the final minute of play against Mercyhurst on Saturday afternoon in the Voller Athletic Center.
The Redhawks forced two turnovers by the Lakers and rallied to tie the game at 67 on a three-point shot by Ben Lekeuneu with 40.8 seconds to play and a conventional three-point play by guard Malik Brooks with 17.3 seconds remaining.
Mercyhurst called timeout with 11.2 seconds left and used a tip-in by Adam Reichert with 1.3 seconds on the clock to emerge with a 69-67 non-conference victory.
"We just didn't play enough disciplined basketball to get the job done," Roberts coach Mark Saladzius said. "It wasn't just down the stretch, either. There were a couple of plays in the first half that you wish that you had back."
Brooks scored 18 of his 25 points in the first half as the Redhawks (1-3) built a 38-28 advantage after the first 20 minutes. Mercyhurst made 13 of its 22 shots from the floor (59.1%) to outscore Roberts 41-29 in the second half.
"Unfortunately, they made enough plays in the second half to counteract what we did in the first half," Saladzius said.
Jermaine Taggart II and Marat Belhouchet each scored nine points for Roberts, which led for more than 27 minutes in the contest. Brooks and Marlon Pratt Jr. (8 points) each had five rebounds for Roberts.
The Redhawks return to action at 6 p.m. on Tuesday for a non-conference game at Edinboro.