Late Surge Sends Mercer Past ETSU, 57-52

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (MERCER RELEASE) – The Mercer women’s basketball team used a 12-2 run in the final three minutes of action Saturday afternoon to erase a five-point deficit and emerge with a 57-52 over ETSU at MSHA Athletic Center in Atlantic Sun Conference action.

The Bears (10-9, 3-5) snap a three-game skid and improve to 2-2 in conference road contests, while the Bucs (6-12, 2-5) drop their fifth game in six tries and have now lost four straight against Mercer in the all-time series.

“We worked on some things with our defense on Friday and I was really pleased with how we responded today,” said head coach Susie Gardner. “We hit a road bump, but we are starting to make strides and I am pleased with the direction we are headed right now.”

The first half proved to be a back and forward affair, as the lead changed hands 10 times and was tied four more times. Kendra Grant hit her final two shots of the first period, including a turnaround jumper in the lane to give the Bears a 25-24 lead at the break.

ETSU made a living on the glass in the first half, holding a 25-15 rebounding edge, including nine on the offensive end, which led to an 8-0 edge in second-chance points.

Neither team led by more than four points in the first half, an advantage ETSU held with 10:12 remaining, but the Bears quickly responded with a 7-2 run to regain the lead.

The second half had an inauspicious start for the Bears, as ETSU caught fire from long range and hit a trio of three-pointers in the first five minutes to open up a 36-30 lead with 15:21 remaining.

Facing its largest deficit of the game, Mercer responded with a run of its own, scoring seven straight points, including a pair of jumpers from Kate Alemann and a three-point play in transition from Briana Williams to give the Bears a 37-36 advantage.

ETSU led the majority of the second half, but Sharnea Boykin got a scoop shot to go and completed the three-point play with 2:31 remaining to give Mercer its first lead in over nine minutes at 51-50.

The Bears continued to pull away in the final minute with buckets from Grant and Alemann to hold on for the 57-52 victory on the road.

Grant led the way with a game-high 16 points, while Alemann chipped in 12 and Boykin finished a point shy of double figures and added five assists.

In all, the game was tied seven times and the lead changed hands 16 times before Mercer emerged with the victory.

The Bears will have a full week to prepare its next contest, playing host Kennesaw State Saturday, Feb. 1 inside Hawkins Arena. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m.