Staff reports
ERIE, Pa. — Mercer Christian suffered a loss in its opening game at the National Christian School Athletic Association (NCSAA) Boys Basketball Final Tournament on Thursday.
Faith Christian, from Martinsburg, defeated the Cavaliers 78-71.
J.J. Easter led the Cavaliers (23-4) with 22 points and nine rebounds, while Brian Davis added 17 points and eight board. Daniel Boothe contributed 13 points and five assists.
Isaiah Walls paced Faith Christian (18-7) will 28 points, while Will Smoot canned 20.
Mercer Christian will compete in the Division 4 bracket today against an opponent to be determined at 10:30 a.m.

FAITH CHRISTIAN (18-7)
Isaiah Walls 28, Sam Romme 12, Brady Mann 14, Colin Lewis 2, Will Smoot 20.
MERCER CHRISTIAN (23-4)
J.J. Easter 22, Caleb Janning 9, Luke Maranto 4, Daniel Boothe 13, Brian Davis 17, Chandler Scott 1, Tyler Boyd 6.
Faith Christian......14 21 19 24 — 78
Mercer Christian......17 18 13 24 — 71
3-point goals: FC 4 (Walls 2, Romme 2); MC 8 (Easter 4, Boyd 2, Boothe 1, Janning 1).