(ERIE, Pa.) – Lake Erie's three-game win streak came to a halt as it fell in a close non-conference regional battle with Mercyhurst by a score of 70-64 on Tuesday evening. The Storm fell to 3-2 on the short season, while the Lakers remained unbeaten at 4-0.

It was largely a defensive contest that saw the Storm jump ahead early with an 11-6 in the first nine minutes of the game after a Kevin Peterson layup. However, a 9-0 run over the next couple of minutes put the hosts in front. It was a lead they didn't relinquish the rest of the way despite furious rally by the Storm in the second half.

The start of the second half opened with both teams exchanging 3-pointers, first by Gabe Kynard and then the Lakers' MiyKah McIntosh, before another Mercyhurst bucket gave the hosts their largest lead of the game at 35-24. Lake Erie immediately answered with a Brogan Scott layup which sparked a 10-0 run to put the Storm back within one with 15:23 to go.

Lake Erie came within a single possession of the lead multiple times down the stretch, but were seemingly answered by Mercyhurst after each successful basket.

Kynard led a quartet of Storm players in double-figures with 17 points. He was 5-of-8 from the field and 3-of-4 from distance with 12 points coming in the second half. David Dunnigan and Scott each added 11. Dunnigan's presence was largely felt in the first half as he made 4-of-5 from the field and added a pair of free throws for 10 points. Peterson tallied 10 to round out the group.

The Storm held a slight edge on the glass by a 36-33 margin.

 Head Coach Kyle Conley's crew now breaks for Thanksgiving and will return to action at Daemen College (N.Y.). Tip-off with the Wildcats is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Amherst.