Mercer University
Winthrop
Strong Second Half Powers Winthrop Past Women's Basketball
12/28/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
MACON, Ga. – A season-high 27-point effort from junior Ry'van Buchanan and a five-point halftime lead wasn't enough for the Mercer women's basketball team in an 88-74 loss to Winthrop at the University Center on Wednesday night.
Mercer dropped its second-straight and fell to 3-9 while Winthrop pulled even at 6-6 on the year.
Buchanan surpassed her previous season-high of 14 points in the first half, knocking down her first six field goal attempts on her way to 16 points in the first stanza. The Atlanta, Ga. native added 11 more points in the second frame, ultimately finishing as the team's high scorer.
Buchanan was 11-of-19 from the field and also added four rebounds, two blocks and two steals in 30 minutes of action.
Sophomore Briana Williams broke the 20-point barrier for the third-straight game, scoring 23 against the Eagles on Wednesday. She hit five three pointers for the third-straight game and fifth time in her career.
Mercer trailed by as many as 10 in the first half before a 9-0 run for the Bears gave the hosts a 32-31 lead with 4:56 on the clock. Mercer's surge came by virtue of three-straight three pointers, the last two launched by Buchanan.
After taking the lead, Mercer outscored the visitors 9-5 over the final minutes of the first half and entered the locker room with a 41-36 advantage.
As a team, mercer was 17-of-31 (54.8%) from the field in the first half, marking the highest field goal percentage for the team in any half this season.
Mercer's hot shooting cooled off in the second half as the Bears were just 13-of-39 (33.3%) from the field in the final 20 minutes of play.
Winthrop broke away from a 55-55 tie in the second half with six-straight points and never looked back. The Eagles would push their lead to as many as 18 before the end of regulation.
Freshman Alicia Williams netted 11 points and booked three assists in the losing effort. Her classmate, Tabitha Bradshaw, scored seven points and dished a personal-best five assists.
Mercer returns to action hosting No. 3 Notre Dame on Friday night at the University Center. Tip-off against the Fighting Irish is scheduled for 7 p.m.
