Mercer Drops SoCon Opener At Chattanooga, 66-57

Wednesday, January 10

Chattanooga, Tenn.

7 p.m.

Mercer University

6-11,0-1SoCon

Chattanooga

13-3,1-0SoCon

Mercer

Chattanooga

Mercer Drops SoCon Opener At Chattanooga, 66-57

1/10/2024 9:32:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Summah Evans led Mercer with 14 points

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - A tough shooting night, particularly from outside the paint hurt Mercer's chances of securing a win in its SoCon opener as the Bears fell on the road to Chattanooga, 66-57 Wednesday night in McKenzie Arena.

Coming off a career high 26 point game against Kennesaw State, Summah Evans once again led the Bears in scoring with 14 points and was one rebound shy of another double-double with nine on the night.

Mercer forwards, Stacie Jones and Mackenzie Johnson each had 13 points and shot 50 percent or better from the field as Jones went 5-for-10 and Johnson 5-for-7 (71.3%).

The Bears struggled to make shots consistently from the outside in this one, shooting 22-for-56 (39.3%) from the field in the game. Mercer was just 3-for-19 (15.8%) from three-point range.

Chattanooga was 24-for-49 (44.9%) from the field and 4-for-7 (57.1%) from three. The Mocs' leading scorer, Jada Guinn led all scorers with 20 points.

HOW IT HAPPENED

1ST QUARTER

A jump shot from Mackenzie Johnson gave Mercer an early 9-7 lead less than five minutes in. Chattanooga would then go on a 10-0 run to take a 17-9 lead. Aspen Johnson scored the last four points of the quarter for the Bears who trailed 19-13 after the first quarter.

2ND QUARTER

The Bears got off to a good start in the second quarter, as they went on a 10-4 run, to tie the game at 23. Chattanooga's best three-point shooter, Hannah Kohn knocked down three straight three-pointers for the Mocs and scored 11 of their next 14 points as Chattanooga took a 37-29 lead before a Summah Evans and-one made it a 37-32 game at halftime.

3RD QUARTER

Mercer had its lowest scoring quarter of the season in the third quarter and Chattanooga went on a 12-2 run to open the quarter and take a 49-36 lead. Chattanooga led by 15 after the third quarter.

4TH QUARTER

Mercer was unable to go on a scoring run to get back in the game in the fourth as Chattanooga was able to keep distance between themselves and the Bears. Mercer held Chattanooga to its fewest made field goals and points in any quarter in the fourth but Chattanooga earned the win in the SoCon opener for both teams.

NOTES

Mercer had nine blocks to Chattanooga's three. Mercer's nine blocks were a season high and the most any team has had against Chattanooga this season
The Bears had 10 offensive rebounds, the sixth straight game with 10 or more offensive rebounds
Mercer held Chattanooga's second leading scorer Raven Thompson to just 4-of-14 (28.6%) shooting
Maria Serracanta came off the bench to lead the Bears with four assists to just two turnovers
Mackenzie Johnson went 5-for-7 (71.4%) from the field. Tied for her best field goal percentage in a game this season

UP NEXT
Mercer stays on the road as it travels to ETSU to play the Bucs on Saturday afternoon. Tip off is at 2 p.m.

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