February 10, 2011

Women’s Basketball Triumphs in Overtime Thriller

MACON, Ga. – Four Mercer players scored in double figures and the Bears survived a furious comeback from Kennesaw State to take an 82-76 overtime win on Thursday night at the University Center.  Freshman Briana Williams led all scorers with 23 points while sophomore Alex Phillips contributed a career-high 20 points.

Mercer snapped a 16-game losing streak and moved to 2-21 (2-12 A-Sun) while Kennesaw State fell to 7-15 (4-10 A-Sun).

Mercer sophomore Sharmesia Smith notched her first collegiate double-double, netting 11 points and tying a career-high with 16 rebounds.  Freshman Brittnee Hazel finished one board short of a double-double, posting 15 points and nine rebounds in the win.

“Our crew is very happy tonight, good to finally pull one out,” Mercer head coach Susie Gardner said.  “I think our kids will feed of this.”

After shooting 51.5% percent in the first half, Mercer found itself ahead by 17 (41-24) at intermission.  On Mercer’s first possession of the second half, Williams drained a three pointer, extending the team’s lead to 20 (44-24). 

Mercer’s 20-point lead marked the largest lead for the team this season.

With 16:41 to go, Mercer’s lead was 18 before Kennesaw State scored seven-straight points in 1:22 of game time.

Kennesaw State kept whittling away at the host lead before sophomore Ashley Holliday knocked down a three to tie the contest at 60 apiece with 4:15 to go in regulation.

Holliday was not done however, burying another trey on the Owls’ next possession to give the visitors their first lead of the game with 3:31 on the clock.

With 37 seconds to go in regulation, the scoreboard reflected a 67-67 tie and Kennesaw State held possession.  After a timeout, the Owls dumped the ball inside to sophomore Sametria Gideon, who scored and was fouled with 24 tics left.

Gideon missed her free throw attempt, but gathered the offensive board.  In a flurry of action, Gideon missed two layups that would have given the visitors a four-point advantage.

Instead, Gideon’s second put-back rimmed off landed in the hands of Smith. Down 69-97, Mercer worked its offense, but a pass was tipped by a defender and went out of bounds, stopping the clock with seven seconds to go. 

Off the inbounds play, Mercer got the ball to Hazel, who backed her defender into the paint and hit a hook shot to tie the game with three seconds left in regulation.

“Hazel’s big shot to put us into overtime was clutch and she had guts to take it,” Gardner said. 

Three minutes into overtime, the teams had split 10 points and were tied for the seventh time of the evening.  Mercer moved away from the 74-74 tie with six-straight points, four of which contributed by Phillips.

Seven of Williams’ 23 points came in the extra period as she converted all three of her field goal attempts.

“[Williams] really carried us in the overtime,” Gardner said.

“Obviously getting up by 20 was outstanding for us,” Gardner said.  “It was disappointing that we let them come back and got down by five, but we showed some resolve and maturity to stick it out and come away with the win.”

“[Smith] had another big rebounding game and also contributed offensively as well, which is a bonus for us,” Gardner said.  “Her offensive boards led to really big baskets for us.  [Phillips] had an exceptional offensive game and really could have had 10 more if she realized how good she can be.”

Freshman Sharnea Boykin dished seven assists while notching four rebounds and four steals in a full 45 minutes of action.

“Sharnea Boykin led us on offense and defense and Ariel Barnes played smart,” Gardner said. “It was truly was a team effort.”

Midway through the first half, the scoreboard reflected a 16-16 tie before Smith collected an offensive rebound and scored a putback with 9:34 to go.

12 seconds later, Kennesaw State’s Ashley Holliday converted a free throw, bringing the Owls to within two (18-17). 

At the 8:27 mark, Mercer’s lead was still 18-17 before the hosts forced Kennesaw State into turnovers on three straight possessions.  Mercer took advantage of the visitor’s miscues, converting those turnovers into six points and extending its lead to 25-17.

In the final four minutes of the first half, Mercer outscored Kennesaw State 13-6 to take a 41-24 lead into intermission.  Mercer finished the half with seven-straight made field goals.

All told, Mercer shot 51.5% (17-33) from the floor in the first half and forced Kennesaw State into 12 turnovers.  Mercer’s 17-point halftime lead marked the sixth time Mercer held a lead at halftime this season.

Phillips led all scorers with 10 first half points, establishing the first time in her career the sophomore has scored reached double figures in a single half of basketball.

The game featured seven tie scores and just two lead changes.

Mercer returns to action with a 2 p.m. tip against Florida Gulf Coast on Saturday.