Jonathan Ouegnin

Mercyhurst University basketball player Jonathan Ouegnin will not win a national college dunk contest being conducted online by hoopsmanifesto.com.

The 6-foot 4-inch junior guard lost to Syracuse’s C.J. Fair in the contest’s semifinals by a voting total of 54 percent to 46 percent. The results of the semifinal round were announced today.

Ouegnin made his spectacular dunk (check out the video below) Feb. 20 during the Lakers’ victory over Gannon.

His dunk was one of 16 entered in the contest’s opening round. He won his first-round matchup against Detroit’s Doug Anderson 58 percent to 42 percent. Ouegnin then won his quarterfinal matchup by a single vote over East Carolina’s Maurice Kemp.

In the other semifinal, Eastern Kentucky’s Marcus Lewis beat Jacksonville’s Daniel Skinner 57 percent to 43 percent.

Again, here’s video of Ouegnin’s dunk:

Mercyhurst University will induct five former athletes and one longtime supporter into its Athletic Hall of Fame.

Lacrosse players Bruce Alexander and Nicole Bonvouloir, soccer players Nicole Esposito and Mark Fitzgerald, golfer  Kim Kupniewski, and longtime Mercyhurst employee Sister Damien Mlechick will be  inducted during the 17th annual Mercyhurst Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony.

Read more about the nominees using the link above.

Mercyhurst travels to Gannon for today’s PSAC West showdown against the rival Knights at noon. Check out players and coaches from both sides talk about this heated rivalry.

The Romantic Era band members Connor Kimball, Bryant Kimball, Colin Kimball, Parris Williams and Ben Griffith have all played in the rivalry game between Gannon University and Mercyhurst University.

Earlier this week, the band members talked about what it was like the play in the rivalry and gave predictions for Saturday’s noon game between the Knights and Lakers at Gannon University Field.

Mercyhurst  junior quarterback Anthony Vendemia will look to lead the Lakers to a win against PSAC West rival Gannon on Saturday at noon at Gannon University Field.

A reserve last season, Vendemia replaced injured starter Travis Rearick in last season’s stunning 30-27 loss to the Knights.

The defending Division II champion Mercyhurst University men’s lacrosse team opens its season Feb. 11 with a game against Ohio Valley at Vienna, W.Va. The Lakers’ first home match is March 3 against Chestnut Hill.

A look at the Lakers’ preparations for the season, courtesy of Mercyhurst’s sports information department: