Mercer Edges Gamecocks, 60-54 - Jacksonville State University Athletics

Tuesday, December 17

JACKSONVILLE

5:15 p.m.

Jax State

2-9

Mercer

6-4

Team	1	2	F
Mercer	28	32	60
Jacksonville State	23	31	54

12/17/2013 8:17:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

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JACKSONVILLE — Despite opening the second half on a 17-0 scoring run, the Jacksonville State Gamecocks fell to Mercer, 60-54, on Tuesday night at Pete Mathews Coliseum.

JSU opened the second half trailing 28-23, after turning the ball over 13 times, and shooting 33%, in the first half. Jax State trailed by as many as ten points at the 7:49 mark of the opening half. The Gamecocks' second-half run was sparked by a 13-of-34 shooting performance in the final 20 minutes and just seven second half miscues on the offensive end.

In the second half, the Jax State defense held Mercer to without a point until Precious Bridges hit both free throws after 6:50 game off the clock in the second half. The Bears didn't hit their first field goal until the 12:45 mark of the second half.

JSU could not hold off a late second half run by UM to earn the Gamecocks their third win on the season. After trailing by as many as 12 points in the final 20 minutes, the Bears shaved the lead down 42-41 with a 12-1 run over a three-minute span. MU equalized at 54-all with just over a minute left in the contest and posted its final six points from the free throw line.
Sophomore Destany McLin shinned brightest for Jax State by scoring 13 of her team-high 17 in the second half, as well as pulling down seven rebounds. Junior Miranda Cantrell chipped in with her second consecutive, and fifth overall, double-double— 12 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, junior Candace Morton extended her consecutive double figure-scoring streak to 11 games by finishing with 14 points.

For the Bears, Kendra Grant led the team in points with 17. Williams finished with 14 points and eight rebounds. Bridges chipped in 12 points, and Briana Williams scored 10. 6 foot 5 center Teanna Robinson pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds.

JSU will conclude its four-game homestand Thursday, Dec. 19 against South Carolina State. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. The contest will close out the pre-Christmas schedule for the Gamecocks.