January 15, 2011

Women’s Basketball Edged by Stetson, 67-59

DELAND, Fla. – The Mercer women’s basketball team got a 16-point, nine-rebound effort from freshman Brittnee Hazel and led with 4:53 to go in regulation, but Stetson ultimately prevailed, 67-59 in Saturday afternoon’s Atlantic Sun game at the Edmunds Center.

Stetson improved to 7-9 (3-4 A-Sun) while Mercer fell to 1-14 (1-5 A-Sun).

“I was pleased with our effort in the first half,” head coach Susie Gardner said. “It was one of the best first halves we’ve played all season.  Kendra Grant didn’t play, but she gave us amazing energy on the bench.”

In the back-and-forth affair that featured 12 tie scores and 16 lead changes, Mercer held a slim, 53-52 advantage with under five minutes remaining.  Stetson moved ahead and took control with a 10-0 run that elapsed the next 3:26.   Stetson’s 10-0 surge was aided by nine-straight missed shots for Mercer.

Despite being undersized in comparison with Stetson’s roster, Mercer out-rebounded the hosts 44-42.  Mercer’s rebounding edge snapped a four-game streak where the Bears had been out-boarded by the opponent.

Sophomore Sharmesia Smith led the way on the glass, pulling down 13 boards.  Smith’s 13 rebounds matched a career-high set earlier this season at Belmont.  Smith also added nine points in the losing effort.

“[Smith] rebounded the entire game,” Gardner said.  “That has been a point of emphasis lately for us.”

In addition to 16 points and nine rebounds, Hazel contributed three assists, three blocks and four steals in 34 minutes of action.  Hazel’s classmate, Briana Williams, netted 13 points and collected four rebounds.

“Once again we played hard and well enough to win,” Gardner said.  “About the four minute mark, players on the opposing team made plays.  We gave up two or three big shots in a row and the bottom fell out.  We need to find ways to not let the opposition make plays down the stretch.  We did get better today, but it was just another disappointing loss.”

Early on, Mercer was behind 7-6 before Williams spotted an opening in the defense and drove hard to the basket.  Williams converted the layup and was fouled, leading to a free throw and a 9-7 Mercer lead.

With the game tied at 24 and 4:29 showing the on clock, Stetson’s Victoria McGowan stroked a deep three before the Bears responded with four-straight points (28-27). Mercer would extend that advantage moments later as Hazel knocked away a Stetson entry pass and took the ball coast-to-coast for a reverse layup and three-point Mercer lead (32-29).

Hazel’s basket would be the last of the half as Mercer took the lead into intermission for the first time since holding a 37-29 lead over UNC Asheville on Dec. 22, 2010.

Mercer was 0-for-7 from three point range in the first 20 minutes, but held a 24-16 advantage on scoring in the paint. 

The Bears finished the game just 2-of-19 from long-range and were outscored in the paint, 16-8 in the second half.

Mercer returns to action at Florida Gulf Coast on January 17.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.