December 2, 2010

Williams Leads Women’s Basketball Past Belmont, 69-56

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Mercer freshman Briana Williams netted a career high 32 points to lead the Bears to a 69-56 triumph over Belmont in Thursday night's Atlantic Sun women's basketball game.  The game, which marked the conference opener for both teams, was held at the Curb Event Center.

William's 32 points marked the highest scoring output for an Atlantic Sun player this season, surpassing USC Upstate's Tee'Ara Copney's 28 point total at Marshall.

"This game was our biggest game of the year," Mercer head coach Susie Gardner said.  "I felt like over the last two days they really had tremendous focus and believed they could win."

Mercer moved to 1-5 (1-0 A-Sun) on the season while Belmont fell to 2-4 (0-1 A-Sun).

After trailing at intermission 25-23, Williams went off for 23 second-half points and the Bears forced Belmont into 15 second-half turnovers en route to a 46-31 second half advantage.

Mercer's second half tour de force began just 28 seconds in to the period, as sophomore Sharmesia Smith jumped into a Belmont passing lane, grabbed a steal and scored on the other end.  Smith's steal was the catalyst for a 7-0 Mercer run that gave the Bears a 30-25 lead and set the tone for the second half.

"The start of the second half was huge because we had traditionally started second half a little bit slower this season," Gardner said.

Mercer would not relinquish the lead the rest of the way, using timely defensive stops and clutch free throw shooting to secure its first win of the season.

Belmont closed to within one point (45-46) with 5:30 remaining, but on Mercer's next possession freshman Brittnee Hazel backed her defender down under the basket and drew contact on her layup attempt.  Hazel hit both of the subsequent free throws to put Mercer back on top by three.

Trailing 62-54 with 1:19 left, Belmont was forced to start fouling Mercer on each possession.  Mercer hit eight of its final 10 free throw attempts to clinch the win.

Mercer sophomore Kendra Grant tallied a career-high 11 points and four rebound in the winning effort.  Freshman Sharnea Boykin dished a team-high six assists in 36 minutes played.

"With Sharnea playing as many minutes as she does, to have six assists no turnovers was huge for us," Garnder said.  "Everyone made a difference tonight."

Hazel tallied seven points, notched four steals and corralled three rebounds against Belmont.  Smith collected a game-high 13 rebounds and scored four points.

Mercer concludes its Nashville swing at Lipscomb on Saturday.  Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.