Basketball Recap: Tyshaun Tate's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Erie First Christian Academy over Mercyhurst Prep

Erie First Christian Academy easily dispatched Eisenhower last Friday, but unfortunately both the margin and the ultimate result were a different story in this one. Erie First Christian Academy fell just short of the Mercyhurst Prep Lakers by a score of 72-69 on Monday. Erie First Christian Academy's defeat signaled the end of their three-game winning streak.

Erie First Christian Academy's loss came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Tyshaun Tate, who posted 18 points. Those 18 points gave Tate a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Avery Collins, who put up 17 points along with eight rebounds and six assists.

Mercyhurst Prep had a senior duo take command as Alex Manendo dropped a double-double on 23 points and ten boards and Tanner Ashton had 25 points in addition to six assists and six rebounds. Those 23 points set a new season-high mark for Manendo. The team also got some help courtesy of James Risto, who scored nine points.

Erie First Christian Academy's defeat was their first in the conference, dropping their conference record down to 2-1 and their overall record down to 7-6. As for Mercyhurst Prep, they pushed their record up to 8-5 with the victory, which was their ninth straight at home dating back to last season.

Erie First Christian Academy has already played their next contest (against Union City), but no score has been uploaded at the time of writing. Mercyhurst Prep will venture away from home to face off against Windber at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Mercyhurst Prep is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 67.2 points per game this season.