ERIE, Pa. — The Wagner College men's basketball team will continue its four-game road swing at Mercyhurst on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m. at Owen McCormick Court. The game will be streamed live on NEC Front Row.

Thursday's contest marks the fourth all-time meeting between the programs, with Mercyhurst leading the series 3–0. The Lakers swept the season series last year, 2–0, and edged Wagner 70–69 in Staten Island in the teams' first meeting this season on Jan. 10.

Mercyhurst (13–14, 8–6 NEC) is coming off a 94–79 road win at Saint Francis. The Lakers are coached by Gary Manchel, now in his 23rd season. Mercyhurst ranks first in the NEC in fewest points allowed per game (66.0) while sitting sixth in scoring (68.1 ppg). Graduate guard Bernie Blunt III leads the squad with 16.9 points per game, ranking third in the conference. Blunt III was named to the Preseason All-NEC Team, and the Lakers were picked fourth in the NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Wagner interim head coach Dwan McMillan spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at Mercyhurst under Manchel for two seasons (2012-2014). In that two year stretch, the Lakers went 33-25.

Wagner (9–16, 4–10 NEC) looks to bounce back after an 83–65 road loss to the LIU Sharks. Junior Bryan Akanmu led the Seahawks with 10 points and six rebounds, while graduate student Travis Gray, junior Eddie Placer and sophomore Binael Basil added nine points apiece. LIU shot 58.2 percent from the field and connected on 10 three-pointers, compared to Wagner's 41.8 percent shooting and six made triples. Wagner held a rebounding edge, but the Sharks finished with nine blocks and 11 steals.

The Seahawks rank second in the NEC in rebounding (37.0 rpg) and fourth in scoring (71.6 ppg). Nick Jones leads the Green & White at 14.5 points per game, ranking seventh in the league, and is tied for first in steals (1.9 spg). Redshirt senior Jaden Baker averages 3.2 assists per game, tied for fourth in the NEC.

Following Thursday's matchup, Wagner concludes its road trip in Loretto, Pennsylvania to face Saint Francis on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 2 p.m.