Mercer Pulls Away From JSU Women, 63-51 - Jacksonville State University Athletics

Saturday, November 17

Macon, GA

1 p.m.

Jax State

0-3

Mercer

3-0

Team	1	2	F
Jacksonville State	22	29	51
Mercer	25	38	63

11/17/2012 3:23:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

MACON, Ga. – The Jacksonville State women's basketball team closed out its season-opening three-game road trip with a 63-51 loss at Mercer on Saturday at Hawkins Arena on the MU campus.

The setback dropped JSU to 0-3 on the season, while the Bears remained unbeaten with a 3-0 mark.

A strong second half effort by Mercer proved to be the decisive factor as it expanded on a three-point, 25-22 halftime lead and a slim lead through the first 15 minutes of the final period.

The Bears took control of the contest over the last 5:55 minutes with a 19-7 scoring run to close out the contest and record the 12 point win. JSU, who trailed from the 8:19 mark of the first half, found itself in a seven-point contest at 44-37 before MU closed out the game on its scoring run and finished the second half 11-of-25 from the field and 15-of-19 from the charity stripe. Jax State made just two of its seven second half baskets over the final 5:55 of the game. Miranda Cantrell had a put back basket and Amanda McCarthy drained a three-pointer with less than 30 seconds left. McCarthy matched her career high with 12 points and was 5-of-6 from the free throw line. The senior guard also equaled her career rebounding mark in a single game with five boards in 30 minutes of floor time.

The Gamecocks came out strong offensively by taking its first lead of the season with an early 5-0 start out of the gate. Freshman Peyton Hisel scored all five of the points to start off the game. The Lexington, Ky.-native finished with seven points and five rebounds. Mercer scored its first six points off the free throw line and did not hit its first field goal until the 15:14 mark of the opening half. Tabitha Bradshaw's bucket gave the Bears their first lead of the game. MU would eventually build its largest lead at 25-18 with 4:38 left in the half and would take a 25-22 edge into the intermission break. MU scored nine of its 25 points off the free throw line and hit just seven baskets. JSU had one of its better shooting performances of the young season with a 40 percent shooting effort in the first half.
Candace Morton finished the game with eight points and six rebounds, while Cantrell posted seven points in a game played in her home state of Georgia.

JSU's leading scorer, Briana Morrow was held in check after a stellar performance last Wednesday at Georgia State. Morrow was limited to two points and five rebounds. Sophomore Marikate Gardler added six points, while Destiny James scored her first points as a Gamecock on a first half three pointer.

MU had three players reach double figure scoring status, led by Precious Bridges' 18 point afternoon. Ridges scored eight of her total from the free throw line. Kendra Grant scored all 12 of her points in the second half. Tabitha Bradshaw added 16 points off the bench.

The Gamecocks conclude the four games in a nine-day stretch with their season opener on Monday, Nov. 19 against Samford at the Pete Mathews Coliseum on the JSU campus. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. Tickets are available by calling the JSU Athletic Ticket Office at 256-782-8499 or online at JSUGamecockSports.com.