MACON, Ga. – Jacksonville State's three-game winning streak came to a halt on Monday as the Gamecocks closed out the non-conference schedule with a 46-39 loss at Mercer.

The six-point loss to the Bears dropped JSU to 5-7 on the season as the squad will break for Christmas holiday and return to action on December 31, hosting Ohio Valley Conference preseason favorite SIU Edwardsville at Pete Mathews Coliseum at 1 p.m.

The two things that fueled the Gamecocks the last three games were the three point field goal and rebounding.  Against the Bears (7-5), Jax State went 4-of-22 from the three-point range and was out-rebounded by a margin of 11 boards, 48-37.  MU took advantage of 14 offensive rebounds and converting them in to 15 second chance points.

In an offensive struggle for both clubs, the Bears were slightly better from the field, shooting 31 percent (20-63), while the Gamecocks turned in a season-low 22 percent from the field as they connected on just 12 baskets in the contest on 53 attempts. 

JSU was unable to hold on to its 22-19 lead at halftime as the Bears took a 26-24 lead midway through the third quarter on a jumper by Kahlia Lawrence.  Lawrence would lead all scorers with 14 points and added nine rebounds.  The Bears would push the deficit out to as many as six points multiple times the rest of the way, but the Gamecocks could not put a run together to re-gain the lead.  JSU trailed 32-28 after three quarters of play and got within a point at 38-37 after a trey by Destiny James with 3:31 left in the contest.  After another key basket by MU's Lawrence, JSU had a chance for a three-point play after a Tyler Phelion basket and free throw, but the sophomore's free throw attempt rattled off the rim.  Lawrence scored five of her 14 points in the final two minutes of the game.

Phlion pulled down a team-high eight rebounds off the bench, but contributed just three points in 21 minutes of action.  The lone Gamecock to reach double figures was freshman Chloe Long.  The Hazel Green, Alabama native posted 10 points on 3-of-5 shooting and grabbed five rebounds.  Sophomore Gretchen Morrison, who was averaging 19 points over the last three games, was held to nine points on a pair of three pointers and three free throws.  Freshman Rayven Pearson chipped in five points and seven rebounds.

MU's Linnea Rosendal scored 12 of her 14 points in the second half to spark the Bears.