SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock had a 16-point edge going into halftime of their home clash with Mercyhurst Prep Friday night.

Half a quarter and two giveaways later, the Rockets were only up by a possession, needing to regain at least some momentum.

In leading a 16-play series that was capped by a 32-yard Nick Kingerski, senior signal-caller Willam Mokel helped provide much-needed breathing room in what wound up being a 38-24 non-conference triumph.

The hosts converted on third or fourth down three different times during the march, none more important than the quarterback’s 28-yard connection with receiver John Sabo on fourth-and-four from their 41. Mokel uncorked the dart while rolling away from pressure, and the wideout grabbed it in acrobatic fashion, albeit banging himself up in the process.

“When we click, we click,” Slippery Rock coach Larry Wendereusz said. “We just had trouble tonight clicking. I think our guys kind of took it amongst themselves at that time to say, ‘We’ve got to put a drive together to handle this thing.’”

Kingerski booted it through the uprights four snaps later, giving his crew a 31-24 advantage with 0:06 to go in the third period.

The urgency came even after the Rockets (2-0) enjoyed their fair share of quick strikes in the early going.

Mokel pitched a screen to Sabo on the team’s initial touch, the latter wriggling out of a pair of tackles and taking it to the house from 39 yards out. Two plays into the second frame, senior Maddox Allen rumbled for a 40-yard score.

The passer hooked up with Brett Galcik and Allen for 62- and 33-yard strikes, respectively, before the first 24 minutes were through.

“We felt like, because they’re a good team, we gave them some really good stuff in the first half,” Lakers coach Jeff Root said. “I’m good if they drive 75 yards in 10 plays … It was just one of those things where we gave up too much early.”

Kicking things off after halftime, the guests recovered a kick at midfield that bounced off a Rockets player. Four plays later, David Bohm dumped a swing pass off to Jason Ellman, cutting the deficit to 10 points. Allen coughed the ball up shortly thereafter, allowing Bohm to take Mercyhurst Prep back in six plays later.

“We knew they weren’t going to roll over,” Wendereusz said. “You can’t give teams extra possessions.”

After Kingerski split the uprights to widen the gap to seven and the Lakers’ attempt to respond stalled, Garrett McGuire pinned the home team to its 1-yard line.

Then, Mokel and Co. went the distance in three plays, thanks in large part to the triggerman’s 56-yard rainbow to junior Sam Schwartz.

“When we’re at the one, I view that as the same as if we’re at the 40 or 50,” Mokel said. “I threw it to Sam and I knew he was going to make a play.”

On the ensuing play, Allen’s 43-yard, game-sealing scamper, Root said: “We did a stunt and they caught us in a stunt. He had a seam and he was gone. It’s unfortunate, because when you’re behind, you’ve got to take chances.”

There are things to shore up for Slippery Rock, who turned the ball over three times and had a total of 90 penalty yards. Better to deal with them after a win than a loss.

“The game wasn’t over yet,” Mokel said. “Plays happen. Every team is going to make big plays, but you’ve just got to keep going.”

Military veterans were honored in a ceremony prior to the clash.

“They deserve more than a thank you,” Wendereusz said.

M. Prep 6 6 12 0 — 24

Slippery Rock 7 21 3 7 — 38

First Quarter

SR — John Sabo 39 pass from William Mokel (kick failed), 5:13

MP — David Bahm 16 run (run failed), 1:43

Second Quarter

SR — Maddox Allen 40 run (Eli Anderson pass), 11:16

SR — Brett Galcik 62 pass from Mokel (kick failed), 4:59

MP — Bahm 54 run (pass failed), 2:20

SR — Allen 33 pass from Mokel (Nick Kingerski kick)

Third Quarter

MP — Jason Ellman pass from Bahm (run failed), 10:15

MP — Bahm 1 run (run failed), 6:39

SR — Kingerski 32 field goal, 0:06

Fourth Quarter

SR — Allen 43 run (Kingerski kick), 7:40

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Mercyhurst Prep, David Bahm 13-119, Craig Buckner 4-4, Jeremy Ganska 3-(-2), Thomas Langer 6-5, Jason Ellman 1-5, Carson Mertz 1-2, Travarios Ramsey 2-(-1), Garret McGuire 1-10.

Slippery Rock, Brett Galcik 7-46, William Mokel 11-47, Maddox Allen 9-56, Aiden Corace 1-(-1).

Passing: Mercyhurst Prep, David Bahm 8-14-171-0.

Slippery Rock, William Mokel 12-25-305-1.

Receiving: Mercyhurst Prep, Stephen Grayson 3-81, Jeremy Ganska 1-23, Jason Ellman 4-67.

Slippery Rock, Maddox Allen 8-94, John Sabo 2-67, Brett Galcik 1-62, Sam Schwartz 81, Aiden Corace 1-6.