Lady Bears Survive Late Furman Rally for 71-67 Win

MACON, Ga. (MERCER RELEASE) – The Mercer women’s basketball team improved its record to 3-0 at home this season following a 71-67 Homecoming Game win over Furman on Sunday afternoon at Hawkins Arena.

Dating back to last season, Mercer (3-2) is 10-3 in its last 13 home games and is 3-0 at Hawkins Arena so far in the 2013-14 campaign with today’s win over Furman and past triumphs over Western Carolina and Troy.

Four players scored in double-figures for the Bears led by junior Precious Bridges game-high 24 points, her second-straight 20-plus scoring outing.

Bridges was joined in double-figures by senior Kendra Grant (18 points) and juniors Briana Williams (11 points) and Alicia Williams (10 points).

The Bears had 18 assists compared to 11 turnovers in the win, spearheaded by senior Sharnea Boykin’s nine-assist performance.

Mercer jumped out to a quick start, using eight points by Bridges to take an early 12-5 lead with 14:58 left in the first half.

A three-pointer by Briana Williams kept it a two-possession game, with the Bears holding onto a 23-17 advantage with 9:16 left in the first stanza.

Mercer held onto the lead throughout the remainder of the first half, using a jumper by Grant in the final minute to make the score 39-35 going into intermission.

Furman started the second half on a 5-0 spurt, taking its first lead since the opening minutes of the game, at 41-40, after a jumper by freshman Allison Beasley.

The lead would change hands five times over the next 14 minutes of game action; until a pair of free throws by junior Teanna Robinson made the score 59-57 Mercer with 5:15 left in the second half.

The Bears would hold onto the lead for the remainder of the contest, using some clutch jumpers by Grant and late free throws by Bridges to pull out the win.

Robinson had a solid all-around game, chipping in a season-high six points to go along with seven rebounds and four blocks in the win.

Mercer has a few days off before getting back on the court when it heads to Nashville to take part in the Vanderbilt Thanksgiving Tournament. The Bears take on Big 10 member Wisconsin in their first game of the event on November 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Gymnasium.