MACON, GA. – The Mercer men’s lacrosse team found the going tough versus Jacksonville University, dropping a 24-4 decision at Bear Field. With the loss, the Bears fell to 0-4 in their inaugural season.

John Avent, Colton Mattei, Alex Baird and Wilton McKown all scored for the Bears in the game. Baird’s goal was his team-leading fifth of the year.

MU fell behind 6-0 before McKown’s unassisted goal put Mercer on the board in the opening quarter. Jacksonville, however, would add four more goals by the end of the first period and two in the second quarter to take a 12-1 advantage to the halftime locker room.

Mattei scored at 11:51 of the third quarter to make it 14-2.  Back-to-back goals by Avent and Baird late in the fourth quarter rounded out MU’s scoring.

Mercer goalkeepers Justin Bateman and Dillon Volk each played a half and each were charged with 12 goals. Bateman had five saves and Volk three.