Women’s Hoops Comeback Bid Falls Short Versus Clemson

Sunday, December 15

Macon, Ga.

2 P.M.

Mercer University

3-7,0-0SoCon

Clemson

4-7,0-1ACC

Clemson

Mercer

Women’s Hoops Comeback Bid Falls Short Versus Clemson

12/15/2019 5:41:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Shannon Titus tied Alex Williams for eighth on Mercer’s career blocks list.

By: Stephen Waldman

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer Women's Basketball team dropped a hard-fought 65-61 matchup against Clemson on Sunday afternoon at Hawkins Arena.

While the Bears forced Clemson into 21 turnovers and blocked five shots, the Tigers' dominance down low was the difference in the game as they outscored the home side in the paint, 36-14. Mercer shot 37.3 percent (25-of-67) from the floor on the afternoon after going just 4-of-17 (23.5 percent) in the first quarter.

Mercer had three players reach double figures in the scoring column, led by Jaron Dougherty's game-high 22 points. Tia Benvenuti posted her second double-digit point performance of the season with 12 thanks to a career-high four 3-point buckets. Shannon Titus tallied 11 points en route to her second double-double of the season with 14 rebounds.

The John's Creek, Ga., native collected seven boards on both the offensive and defensive end of the court while matching Benvenuti for the most assists in the game with six. Additionally, Titus blocked a season-high four shots in the game, bringing her into a tie for eighth on Mercer's all-time blocks list with Alex Williams with 61.

How It Happened
After falling into an early 12-0 hole, Mercer battled back to score the next nine points and made it a one-score game. Another 6-0 run by the visitors stretched out their lead early in the second quarter, but the Bears once again clawed their way back into the game.

Mercer scored a pair of fast break baskets from Amoria Neal-Tysor and Titus sandwiched around a triple by Benvenuti to make it a three-point game at 18-15. Clemson hit a pair of free throws before Dougherty and Titus combined for the next six points to hand Mercer its first lead of the afternoon. The two sides fought back-and-forth with Dougherty taking the lead back for the Bears with 3:53 left in the first half, but an 8-0 run by the Tigers spotted the visitors a sizable advantage.

In a low scoring third quarter, Clemson was able to build upon its lead thanks to a 14-4 run, but the Bears were revitalized when Titus blocked a shot with four seconds left and dashed down the floor for a buzzer-beating layup, absorbing the contact from a Clemson defender to finish the play.

Mercer trailed by as much as 15 in the final quarter, but the resurgence of Benvenuti and Neal-Tysor allowed the home squad to shoot their way back into the contest. The duo combined for 16 of Mercer's final 18 points, including four makes from long-range. Clemson managed to hit 5-of-8 shots from the charity stripe in the final minute, however, to hang on for the win.

Quotables – Head coach Susie Gardner
Overall thoughts from the game…
"We got down 8-0 and had to call a timeout to get us back into the game, but then in the fourth quarter, we were down 15 with 5:56 left in the game and I had to call another timeout to get them refocused. At that time, they decided that they were going to come out and play, but I shouldn't have to waste timeouts to motivate a team. If you're competitive, you don't give up or have poor body language. I was really proud that they did fight back gave us a chance, but they do need to grow and not have me waste timeouts like that when I could've used it at the end."

Matchup with Florida…
"This is two tough games back-to-back, both physically and mentally. We beat Florida last year, so I'm sure that's something they're talking about down there even though we have a totally different team. Florida isn't that far away, though, and with exams being over we can just focus on the next opponent."

Teddy bear toss/Merrie Christmas Project…
"What was so special about today's teddy bear toss for me was the fact that we were able to work together with United Way of Central Georgia for the Merrie Christmas Project. Everyone knows the story about Nancy and Mike Kaplan's daughter, Merrie, but I've seen on social media how much Mike is touching the lives of those in the Macon community. If we can do our part, no matter how large or small that may be, we're overjoyed to help those in need. God bless Mike and Nancy for taking something very difficult and, through their grief, turned this into something positive for this community."

Player of the Game
Titus tallied her second double-double of the season with 11 points and 14 rebounds, in addition to posting game highs in assists (6) and blocks (4). The John's Creek, Ga., native has now denied 61 shots in her three-year career, matching Alex Williams for eighth on Mercer's career blocks list.

Notables
» This was the first meeting between Mercer and Clemson since 1981.
» Gardner opposed Amanda Butler for the first time in her career after coaching with her at Austin Peay and Florida.
» The Bears were held to less than 10 fast break points for just the second time this season.
» Titus tied Alex Williams for eighth all time in blocks with four on the afternoon.
» She recorded her second double-double of the season and fourth of her career.
» Benvenuti made a career-high four 3-pointers in the contest.
» Dougherty posted her fourth 20+ point game this afternoon and second in as many games.

Up Next
The Bears have a quick turnaround as they head to Florida to face the Gators on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The game will be televised on the SEC Network.

Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Women's Basketball, please follow the Bears on social media at @Mercer_WBB (Twitter), /MercerWBB (Facebook) and @MercerWBB (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.