INDIANAPOLIS – The No. 7 UIndy men's lacrosse team posted a statement win on Saturday, downing No. 6 Mercyhurst at Key Stadium by a score of 11-8.  The Lakers entered the game with the best offense in Division II, averaging 18.73 goals per game, but the Hounds held them to their fewest goals in a game this season.

The win moves the Hounds to 13-1 on the year with their third win over a nationally-ranked team.

HOME SWEET KEY
The victory extends UIndy's home win streak 28 games, the longest active home win streak in all three divisions of NCAA.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lakers struck first on a man up goal but three straight goals from the Hounds gave them a 3-1 lead after the first quarter.  Patrick O'Hara and Brian Robb scored 75 seconds apart while Jake Zickel added one at the 2:35 mark.

The second quarter saw the Lakers outscore the Hounds 2-1 to give UIndy a one-goal lead at the break.  Ben Foster netted UIndy's lone goal of the second frame.

The second half started with a Laker goal to tie the game at four before Drew Billig netted his first of the game to break the tie.  Merychurst scored a pair of goal four minutes apart to take a 6-5 lead midway through the third quarter.

UIndy erupted for three goals in in less than two minutes to regain the two-goal lead.  Patrick O'Hara started things off scoring from midfield after the Lakers' goalie stepped out of the net.  Wyatt Auyer and Foster added a pair just over 30 seconds apart to put UIndy ahead 8-6.

Mercyhurst netted the final goal of the third and the first goal of the fourth to even the score once again at eight.  Billig netted the game winner with just over six minutes remaining before adding a pair of insurance goals in the final 90 seconds.

Billig finished with a team-high five points off of four goals and one assist.  Zickel, Auyer, Foster and O'Hara each recorded two points.  Kyle Basch led the defensive charge with three caused turnovers and four ground balls.

Austin Barnett played the full 60 minutes in net, making 10 saves in his 13th win of the season.  

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Mercyhurst committed 20 turnovers to UIndy's 11.
- Despite six UIndy's penalties, a strong defensive effort held the Lakers 1-for-6 on extra man opportunities.

UP NEXT
The Hounds have the Great Lakes Valley Conference on deck with the semifinals on Friday and the championship slated for Sunday as they earned hosting rights for this year's tournament.  With a three-way tie with UIndy, Lindenwood and Rockhurst all at 5-1 in GLVC play, the tiebreaker went to the Hounds based on score differential. UIndy will face fourth-seed Lewis on Friday with the start time to be determined.