Mercer University
Fla. Gulf Coast
FGCU Downs Women's Hoops, 76-45
2/12/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
MACON, Ga. – Sophomore Alex Phillips netted 10 points and added eight boards as Mercer fell to Florida Gulf Coast, 76-45 in Saturday afternoon's Atlantic Sun women's basketball game at the University Center.
FGCU took its sixth-straight win and moved to 20-1 (13-1 A-Sun) while Mercer fell to 2-22 (2-13 A-Sun).
After trailing by just 11 at the half (36-25), FGCU out-scored Mercer 40-20 in the second stanza behind 60 percent (15-25) shooting from the field.
Phillips was three-of-eight from the floor and four-of-six from the free throw line en route to her second-straight double-digit scoring game. The sophomore also contributed a pair of blocks in the losing effort.
FGCU forced Mercer into 23 turnovers and converted those errors into 23 points. The Eagles also held a 38-22 advantage in scoring in the paint.
Mercer freshman Briana Williams scored a team-high 12 points and collected two rebounds in the loss.
Mercer's defensive tactics proved effective in the early going, holding the visitors scoreless for the opening 2:25 of game time.
Kelsey Jacobson sparked the FGCU offense with the games' first points, draining a three ball from the wing with 17:35 to go. Jacobson's triple keyed a 13-3 run, fueled by 11 points for Jacobson.
Jacobson finished with 19 points, two steals and an assist.
FGCU extended its lead to 19-6 before Mercer chipped into the deficit with an 11-2 run of its own. Mercer's charge was capped when freshman Ariel Barnes drilled a three-pointer to bring Mercer within four (21-17).
Barnes booked career-highs in points (nine) and rebounds (four) in Saturday afternoon's contest.
The Eagles retaliated quickly, however, as junior Sarah Whitfield connected on treys on back-to-back possessions, moving the lead back to double-digits (27-17) with 6:55 to go.
At the start of the second half, each team traded scores before the Eagles moved away from a 42-30 lead with a 20-8 run over the next 9:16 of the game. Another three-pointer by Jacobson, her fifth of the game, increased FCGU's lead to 62-38.
The Bears would come no closer than 21 points the rest of the way.
Mercer returns to the hardwood when it hosts Stetson on Monday, February, 14. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the University Center.
