ERIE, Pa. (Interstat) — The Mercyhurst Lakers will look to continue their late-season push when they host the struggling Central Connecticut Blue Devils in a Northeast Conference women’s basketball matchup on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. The Lakers (11-15) enter on a three-game winning streak, including a 58-55 road victory at Long Island on Saturday. Guard Cici Hernandez has been instrumental, averaging 18.3 points over that stretch and coming off a 17-point, 6-rebound, 4-assist performance. Mercyhurst defeated Central Connecticut 80-63 in New Britain just over a month ago on Jan. 15. Central Connecticut (1-25) snapped a 12-game losing streak with an 86-75 home win over Chicago State last Saturday. The Blue Devils will rely on guard Ciera Pearson, who logged 39 minutes and scored 11 points in that victory. Consistency has been an issue, however, as Pearson was held scoreless in a loss to Le Moyne three days prior. The game at Mercyhurst Athletic Center pits one of the conference’s hottest players in Hernandez against a Blue Devils team seeking its first road win of the season. Central Connecticut’s defense, which allows an average of 70.2 points per game, will be tested by a Lakers offense averaging 73.5 points during its current win streak. For Mercyhurst, a victory would secure a winning record in conference play and bolster seeding for the upcoming NEC tournament. For Central Connecticut, the focus remains on building momentum from its lone win and finding a way to contain Hernandez. Following this game, Mercyhurst hosts Stonehill on Saturday, while Central Connecticut travels to face Saint Francis (Pa.).