Mercer Falls in Road Test at Columbia

Saturday, January 4

New York, N.Y.

2 P.M.

Mercer University

3-12,0-0SoCon

Columbia

9-4,0-0Ivy League

Mercer

Columbia

1/4/2020 4:19:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

The Bears wrapped up non-conference play on Saturday

By: Stephen Waldman

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Mercer women's basketball team concluded the non-conference portion of its 2019-20 schedule with a 77-48 setback at Columbia on Saturday afternoon.

The Bears struggled to get any momentum offensively, shooting just 27.4 percent (17-of-62) from the floor and 20.0 percent (5-of-25) from beyond-the-arc.

Three Bears reached double figures in the scoring column, led by sophomore Jaron Dougherty's 13-point performance. Tia Benvenuti added 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting from long range, and Shannon Titus scored 10 points. Dougherty collected six rebounds and a team-high three steals, while Benvenuti brought down four boards and dished out three assists. Emily Stradling provided some depth off the bench as well with a team-high seven rebounds and three assists in 19 minutes of action.

How It Happened
The Lions got out to a 15-5 run through the first six minutes of the game by shooting 6-of-11 and 2-of-3 from 3-point range with five different scorers. Mercer faced a 23-9 deficit after the first quarter, but managed to chip away in the middle of the second.

Dougherty converted an and-one situation at the 7:27 mark of the second stanza that sparked a 12-3 run for the Bears that cut the lead to 11 at 32-21. Benvenuti came up big over that stretch, going 2-of-2 from long range. The home side provided an immediate response, however, scoring the next 11 points and taking a 43-23 advantage into halftime. Columbia slowly extended its lead throughout the second half and came away with the win.

Quotables - Head coach Susie Gardner
On looking ahead to SoCon play...
"We struggled winning games during the pre conference season. We have been challenged and learned about ourselves as individual players and as a team.

"We also realize that with the start of SoCon play and the success we've had the past four years that every team will take note of what has happened to Mercer in the pre conference season. We cannot let the losses effect our work ethic and desire to prepare as we begin SoCon play. We have great respect for all of the teams and coaches in our league and especially for the one we play first in Furman."

Notables
» Mercer scored a season-low 48 points against the Lions.
» Stradling posted career-highs in rebounds (7), assists (3) and minutes (19).
» Benvenuti's four 3-pointers matched her career high against Clemson on Dec. 15.
» Dougherty reached double-digit points for the 10th game this season.

Up Next
The Bears begin Southern Conference play next week with a pair of road games. Mercer opens its conference slate with a 7 p.m. tipoff at Furman on Thursday before challenging the Terriers from Wofford on Saturday at 2 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.