Mercer University
Jacksonville
Jacksonville Slips Past Women's Basketball, 76-65
1/19/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
MACON, Ga. – Junior forward Sharmesia Smith had her second career double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds as the Mercer women's basketball team fell to Jacksonville, 76-65 on Thursday night at the University Center.
Jacksonville notched its third-straight win and moved to 7-12 (5-3 A-Sun) while Mercer fell to 3-16 (1-7 A-Sun).
Smith's 15 rebounds were two short of tying a Mercer University Center record, set by Tonya Kessenich against Georgia State on January 3, 2005. Her 15 rebounds tied her teammate Alex Phillips for the team's season-high rebounding total. Phillips collected her 15 boards at High Point on November 25, 2011.
Midway through the second half, Jacksonville had a 58-45 advantage before Mercer sophomore Briana Williams scored seven-straight points and freshman Tabitha Bradshaw knocked down a pair of free throws to cut the margin to 58-54.
From then on, Jacksonville pushed its lead to eight several times but Mercer kept responding with clutch buckets to keep the game tight. With just under two minutes remaining, Williams went to the line and sunk a pair of free throws to bring Mercer within three at 68-65.
On Jacksonville's next possession, the Dolphins used a pick-and-roll to create an open layup for sophomore Jade Cargill. Mercer went the other way, but a Precious Bridges jumper found iron and Jacksonville came away with the rebound.
Mercer was forced to foul the Dolphins in an effort to extend the game, but the visitors knocked down all six of their free throws in the final minute to secure the victory.
Williams finished with a game-high 26 points in the loss, marking the fourth time the sophomore has scored 25 or more this season. Smith's 10 points came on five-of-five shooting from the field
Bridges broke into double figures for the second-straight game, finishing the night with 14 points. She also booked three assists and three rebounds in 39 minutes of action.
Freshman Teanna Robinson set a season-high with seven rebounds and also added two points and a pair of steals in the losing effort.
Jacksonville rushed out to an 8-2 lead in the early going, but Mercer came back to tie matters at 15-15 when Bradshaw knocked down a deep three pointer with 12:53 to go in the first half.
Mercer took its first lead of the evening when Williams stole the ball from a Jacksonville post player and raced the other way. Her subsequent layup was off mark, but Smith grabbed the rebound and scored for a 17-15 Mercer advantage.
In the first half, Smith repeatedly extended plays for the Mercer offense, pulling down eight offensive rebounds in the period. All told, the Jonesboro, Ga. native pulled down 11 boards in the first half, tying her previous season-high.
Mercer returns to action against North Florida on Saturday. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m.
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