Fast Start Not Enough for Bears Against JU

Sunday, December 29

Macon, Ga.

2 P.M.

Mercer University

3-10,0-0SoCon

Jacksonville

8-5,0-0ASUN

OT 1

Jacksonville

Mercer

Photo by: Judy Stapleton

12/29/2019 5:12:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Amoria Neal-Tysor scored a career-high 26 points against the Dolphins

By: Stephen Waldman

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer women's basketball team scored a season-high 24 points in the first quarter, but was unable to maintain that pace as it fell to Jacksonville in overtime, 87-83, on Sunday afternoon at Hawkins Arena.

Mercer shot 52.6 percent (10-of-19) in the opening period and guided the Bears to their first 80-point performance of the year. Adversely, the Mercer defense held the Dolphins to 17.6 percent (3-of-17) from the floor, which led to Mercer's 14-point advantage heading into the second quarter.

Jacksonville found their shot throughout the rest of the game, however, shooting over 50 percent in each of the final three quarters and overtime. Shakayla Nevitt's 24 points led the Dolphins.

The dynamic duo of Amoria Neal-Tysor and Jaron Dougherty led the Bears with 26 and 22 points, respectively, while Neal-Tysor drained all six of Mercer's 3-pointers in the game. Dougherty added a career-high five assists along with six rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Neal-Tysor collected three helpers, three rebounds and two steals.

A total of four Bears reached double figures on the score sheet as Shannon Titus (16 pts./9 reb.) and Summer Pahl (10 pts./8 reb.) were both close to recording a double-double. Rookie Jill Harris dished out a game-high seven assists as Mercer posted a season-best with 25 helpers in the contest.

How It Happened
Mercer got off to an explosive start, posting a season-high 24 points in the opening period. The two teams traded baskets through the first three minutes of the game until an 18-5 run by the home side gave Mercer the 24-10 advantage. Neal-Tysor scored 10 points on the run, including the last seven in a 52-second stretch.

Jacksonville started to chip away through the middle quarters and made it a one-possession game with 6:13 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Dolphins managed to tie the game at 64-64 with 3:53 left before a Dougherty basket allowed Mercer to regain the lead. After another JU score, Mercer took a four-point edge with a pair of free throws from Titus and a layup from Pahl on consecutive possessions.

The Bears made 3-of-4 free throws down the stretch and held a three-point lead before Da'nasia Shaw tied the game with 17 seconds remaining. After a timeout, the home squad had a chance at the buzzer to come away with the win, but a contested Dougherty layup would not fall and Mercer headed to overtime for the second time this season.

Mercer opened the extra period with a two-point lead, but Jacksonville went on a 9-0 run that put the game out of reach.

Player of the Game
Neal-Tysor had a career night, setting personal bests with 26 points and 44 minutes of play. The Sanford, N.C., native matched her career highs with nine field goals and six 3-pointers, while adding three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Additionally, Neal-Tysor drew six fouls on the defensive end.

Notables
» Mercer's 24 points in the first quarter was its highest scoring period this season.
» The Bears dished out a season-high 25 assists, their most in a game since recording 26 helpers against Furman on Jan. 6, 2018.
» This was the second time this year that Mercer had four players reach double figures.
» Mercer fell to 0-2 in overtime games this season.
» Neal-Tysor scored a career-high 26 points with her second 20-point effort.
» Dougherty recorded her fifth 20-point game of the season.

Up Next
The Bears begin the new year with a five-game road trip, starting on Thursday as the team heads to Connecticut to face Yale at 7 p.m.

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.