Mercer University
Kennesaw St.
Bears Fall in Final Moments at Kennesaw State, 70-68
2/11/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
KENNESAW, Ga. – Mercer sophomore Briana Williams had a sensational 39-point performance, but her effort was not enough to stop Kennesaw State from claiming a 70-68 victory in Saturday afternoon's women's basketball game at the KSU Convocation Center.
With 46 seconds to play, the teams had played to an even 68-68 tie before KSU redshirt freshman Taylor Mills went to the line and hit a pair of free throws. On Mercer's next possession, the KSU defense keyed on Williams, who dumped the ball under to a posting Alex Phillips. Phillips converted a turnaround jumper to pull the Bears even once again.
KSU head coach Colbey Tilley called a timeout, and on the ensuing possession, Chelcey Farrar found Lisa Capellan coming off a screen for a jumper and the lead with 10 seconds remaining.
Mercer raced back the other way, but Williams was tightly defended and the ball went to freshman Tabitha Bradshaw. Bradshaw let it fly, but her attempt found iron and Farrar corralled the defensive rebound to secure the KSU victory.
Williams booked her 39 points on 15-of-31 shooting in the game while also totaling three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Williams scored 11 of Mercer's final 14 points and finished the second half with 21 of Mercer's 34 points.
Junior Sharmesia Smith scored all 10 of her points in the first half and finished with six rebounds. Her classmate, Alex Phillips, scored five points and tallied seven rebounds, three blocks and two assists in the loss.
Both teams started red hot, combining to shoot 10-of-14 at the outset of play. Before the first media timeout, the teams had split 24 points evenly. Smith scored six of Mercer's 12 points in the opening 4:16 on perfect three-of-three aim.
KSU scored four-straight points out of that stoppage and held the lead until the clock showed 6:23 before halftime. During that stretch, Mercer cut its deficit to one twice before eventually reclaiming a 22-21 lead on a pair of free throws for Alicia Williams.
That edge was short-lived, however, as Ashley Holliday nailed a three 38 seconds later to push the Owls back in front. From there the teams would exchange scores until KSU went to the locker room up 38-34.
Smith didn't miss a shot in the first half, scoring 10 points on three field goals and four free throws.
At the start of the second half, Mercer ripped off a 10-4 run fueled by eight points from Williams. Over the next 10 minutes, Mercer went ahead by as many as five before KSU evened the contest at 61-61 with just over five minutes to play.
All told, Saturday's battle featured 12 tie scores and 13 lead changes.
Mercer returns to action at North Florida on February 16. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
%20(1).png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)
