CHICAGO, Ill. (January 31, 2026) - The Chicago State men's basketball team earned a hard-fought 78–74 victory over Mercyhurst on Saturday afternoon at the Emil and Patricia Jones Convocation Center, securing a home win in front of the Cougar faithful.
Chicago State led 35–30 at the break and withstood multiple second-half pushes from the Lakers, answering each run with timely baskets and defensive stops. The Cougars shot efficiently from beyond the arc and capitalized at the free-throw line down the stretch to preserve the four-point win.
CJ Ray delivered a dominant double-double performance, finishing with a game-high 37 points and 10 rebounds while attacking the rim and knocking down key perimeter shots.
Marcus Tankersley added 18 points and played a pivotal role late, calmly converting free throws and directing the offense in crucial moments. The Cougars also won the battle on the glass, turning second-chance opportunities into valuable points.
Mercyhurst trimmed the deficit to two possessions in the final minutes, but Chicago State remained composed, executing offensively and closing the game from the line to seal the victory.
Head coach Landon Bussie praised his team's resilience and growth following the win.
"I'm really proud of the way our guys stayed together and competed for 40 minutes," Bussie said. "Mercyhurst is a tough, well-coached team, and our players showed maturity down the stretch by making winning plays when it mattered most."
Chicago State will look to build on the momentum as the Cougars travel to New Britain, Conn. on Thursday, February 5, 2026, to face Central Connecticut State University. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m. (CT).
