ERIE, Pa. -- Kutztown University men's basketball got 18 points from Tarojae Brake (Coatesville, Pa./Octorara) and 15 from Wesley Butler (Reading, Pa./Reading), but it wasn't enough to keep pace with Mercyhurst, which shot 59% overall and 53% from 3-point range, in an 86-64 PSAC crossover loss Saturday at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.

Michael Bradley scored a game-high 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting for the Lakers, who outscored the Golden Bears 15-5 over the final 5:23 of the first half to build a 15-point lead at the break and never looked back.

Kutztown (6-9, 4-5 PSAC) got as close as 10 three times in the second half. A jumper from Butler in the lane with 12:44 to go made it 52-42, but Bradley and Trystan Pratapas responded with back-to-back 3-pointers for the hosts, keeping the Maroon and Gold down by double digits.

Though Mercyhurst only held slight advantages in rebounds (31-27) and turnovers (11-14), the Lakers were opportunistic converting the Bears' giveaways into 24 points. Mercyhurst also outscored KU 44-30 in the paint.

The Golden Bears fell behind 7-2 just over two minutes in, before Brake exploded for seven straight points --including a pair of treys-- to give the visitors their first lead, 10-9, at 16:09. A three by Butler on KU's next offensive trip increased its advantage to four.

Brake halted a quick 5-0 spurt for the Lakers with a jumper at 11:50 that put Kutztown back in front, 15-14, but Steve Cannady's jumper a minute later gave Mercyhurst (8-5, 6-3 PSAC) a lead it would not cede.

Bradley knocked down a team-high three 3-pointers, while adding five rebounds, four assists and two steals in 37 minutes. Forward Cameron Gross was an efficient 7-of-9 for 19 points and Zach McIntire had 14 points. The Lakers finished 34-of-57 from the floor (59.6%) and were 8-of-15 from beyond the arc (53.3%).

Brake led the Bears in scoring, rebounds (five) and assists (four). Butler had a game-high four steals to go along with his 15 points and Ryan 'Boz' Bernstein (Bronx, N.Y./Marianapolis Prep) added 10 points. The Golden Bears shot 43.9% (25-of-57) overall, but only received 13 points from their reserves.

Kutztown's next opportunity to bounce back comes next Wednesday at Keystone Arena against Mansfield. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.