Mercer University
Ga. Southern
Women's Basketball Suffers Heartbreaking Loss to Georgia Southern
11/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
MACON, Ga. - Georgia Southern freshman Anna Claire Knight hit a baseline jumper with one second left to give the Eagles a 57-55 win over Mercer in Thursday night's women's basketball game at the University Center. Mercer junior Sharmesia Smith finished one bucket short of a double-double with eight points and 11 rebounds in the loss.
Georgia Southern improved to 1-2 on the year while Mercer remained winless at 0-3.
Early on, Georgia Southern led 3-2 before Mercer scored seven-straight points to jump in front by six. Georgia Southern wouldn't retake the lead until the scoreboard showed 1:09 remaining in the game.
An unassisted layup by sophomore Mimi DuBose gave the visitors a 54-52 advantage with 69 tics left, but on Mercer's next possession Smith was fouled after corralling an offensive board. Smith sank one free throw to cut Mercer's deficit to one.
Georgia Southern inbounded the ball and forced Mercer to foul point guard Meredith Frye with 21 seconds left in regulation. Up until that point, the Eagles were a perfect 16-for-16 from the charity stripe.
Frye cashed in on the front end but missed the second toss, giving Mercer the ball trailing by two (55-53).
Freshman Alicia Williams drove right and hit a pull up jumper from ten feet out with eight seconds left. Williams' jumper gave her 12 points on the night and tied the contest at 55 apiece with eight seconds left.
Following a timeout, Georgia Southern inbounded the ball and Frye went the distance of the court and dished to Knight, who converted the game-winning shot.
Smith's eight points came on three-of-seven shooting from the field. She also collected two blocks and a steal in 24 minutes of action.
Freshman Precious Bridges scored a team-high 14 points in the loss while also dishing out three assists and notching one steal. Sophomore Briana Williams had 11 points and one rebound in the loss.
Mercer led by as many as 13 in the first half before entering intermission on top, 33-23.
Georgia Southern finished zero-of-two from three point range. Mercer has still not allowed a three point shot in three games.
Mercer returns to action on Sunday, November 20 at Central Florida. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
