Ernie Burkes racked up a game-high 28 points, but it wasn’t enough as the Lancers fell in the title game of their own tipoff tournament. Burkes drained seven 3-pointers in the contest.

A sophomore, Burkes scored 10 of his points in the second quarter. Burkes was an all-tournament selection.

“Ernie played very well for us; the 3s were a huge plus,” Neshannock coach John Corey said. “We ran some different things for him to get him some different looks in the second quarter.”

The Lakers (2-0) raced to a 23-11 lead after the first and clung to a 32-27 halftime advantage. The guests owned a 44-31 edge after three and held on for the win.

“We started the game trying to do some different things defensively,” Corey said. “Pressure-wise, they were breaking us down and that led to some easy buckets for them.

“We came on strong in the second quarter”

John Sansone added 12 points for Neshannock (1-1).

Dwayne Canady led Mercyhurst Prep with 22 points.