Eagles Top Bears, 87-52

Final	1	2	T
Mercer (1-15, 1-6 A-Sun)	26	26	52
Fla. Gulf Coast (14-0, 7-0 A-Sun)	37	50	87
Alico Arena (Fort Myers, Fla.)

Mercer	Fla. Gulf Coast
Pts: 2 Players (#02, #14 - 16)	Pts: GRIFFIN, Eglah - 25
Reb: Alex Phillips - 11	Reb: 2 Players (#05, #21 - 11)
Ast: Sharnea Boykin - 8	Ast: CHIHIL, Courtney - 9

Team Statistics	Mercer	Fla. Gulf Coast
Field Goal %	38.6% (22-57 )	36.8% (28-76 )
Rebounds	43	45
Assists	8	22
Turnovers	19	7
Pts off Turnovers	6	28
2nd Chance Pts	14	26
Pts in the Paint	20	16
Fastbreak Pts	0	0
Bench Pts	3	30

full stats

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Sophomore Alex Phillips recorded her first career double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds as the Bears fell to Florida Gulf Coast, 87-52 in Monday night’s Atlantic Sun women’s basketball game at Alico Arena.

FGCU extended its unbeaten streak at home to 32 games and moved to 14-0 (7-0 A-Sun) while Mercer fell to 1-15 (1-6 A-Sun).

Phillips set career highs in points (16), field goals made (8) and minutes played (35) while also providing a key play that energized the visiting bench early in the second half.

With Mercer trailing 42-30, Phillips closed out on FGCU’s Kelsey Jacobson as she attempted a three pointer from the wing.  Phillips swatted the shot, resulting in a fast break jumper for the Mercer forward on the other end, igniting the Mercer bench.  Phillip’s play came as part of a 10-0 charge for Mercer that brought the Bears to within four (42-38) with 15:20 to go.

FGCU proved resilient however, responding with its own 10-0 run.  FGCU’s surge exemplified why the Eagles hold the second-highest all-time winning percentage at home among Division I teams.

Ultimately, FGCU went on to set an NCAA record for three point shots attempted (55) in a single game en route to the win.  The Eagles also set a new conference record for three pointers made in a single game (20).

Mercer freshman Briana Williams also scored 16 points while adding a rebound and a steal.  Sharnea Boykin scored three points while dishing eight assists and collecting eight rebounds.

Mercer controlled the opening tip and Phillips went right to work on the inside, getting a hook shot to drop for a Mercer 2-0 lead. Phillips, who earned her eighth start of the year, got a jumper to drop on Mercer’s next possession and gave Mercer the early 4-0 advantage.

Phillips' early production inside foreshadowed Mercer’s control of the interior, as the Bears would go on to outscore the Eagles 20-16 in the paint.

Mercer held the potent FGCU offense scoreless for the first 3:09 of the game before Courtney Chihil sunk the Eagles first bucket of the game.

With 13:05 to go in the first period, the scoreboard was knotted at 12 before FGCU’s Sarah Whitfield scored on a put-back layup.  The Eagles would not surrender that advantage for the remainder of the game.

Mercer returns to A-Sun action on January 22 hosting UNF at 2 p.m.