Jones' Career High Propels Mercer Past UNCG, 76-52

Thursday, January 18

Macon, Ga.

7 p.m.

Mercer University

7-12,1-2SoCon

UNC Greensboro

13-5,2-1SoCon

UNC Greensboro

Mercer

Jones' Career High Propels Mercer Past UNCG, 76-52

1/18/2024 10:16:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Postgame Presser

Stacie Jones scored a career high 25 points

MACON, Ga. - Stacie Jones had a double-double and a career high 25 points to lead the Mercer Bears to its first SoCon win of the season at home Thursday night over UNCG, 76-52.

In addition to Jones, the story of the first half and majority of the game was Mercer's defense which held UNCG to just 20 points in the first half to open up an 18-point halftime lead. UNCG shot 33.3 percent from the field for the game and just 21.4 percent from three-point range.

Mercer had 12 steals and 15 points off turnovers in the win. The Bears also were strong on the glass, outrebounding the Spartans, 44-33.

On top of Jones' 25 point, 10 rebound night, Mercer had two other players score in double figures as Briana Peguero had 13 points on 5-for-8 (62.5%) shooting and Summah Evans had 12 points, eight rebounds, and three assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED

1ST QUARTER

The opening minutes were back and forth as Jones scored Mercer's first six points of the game. The Bears closed the quarter on a 10-4 run to take a 16-10 lead after the opening quarter.

2ND QUARTER

A couple of three-pointers from Peguero and Deja Williams got Mercer going in the second quarter as the Bears went on a 9-2 run to open up a 13-point lead at 25-12. Jones closed the half by scoring Mercer's last six points of the half as the Bears continued to clamp down on defense and took a 38-20 lead into halftime.

3RD QUARTER

Leading 50-32 midway through the third quarter, Mercer would essentially put the game out of reach for the Spartans as the Bears would go on a 10-0 run to take their largest lead of the game at 60-32.

4TH QUARTER

The deficit was too steep for UNCG to come back from as the Bears were able to get minutes for players like freshman Ariana Dyson who scored a career high six points in five minutes of playing time.

NOTES

10 of Mercer's 11 active players scored in the game
Jones' 25 point, 10 rebound night was her fourth double-double of the season
Mercer was 22-for-27 from the free throw line - it's most made free throws in a game this season
The Bears held UNCG to just 33.3 percent from the field, the second lowest field goal percentage the Bears have held an opponent to this season (Tulane, 31.6%)
Mercer was +11 on the glass, tied for its second best rebounding margin in a game this season
Cianté Downs led Mercer with three steals, she has at least two steals in each of her last five games

COACH GARDNER QUOTES

On Strong Defensive Performance:
"UNCG's got a great defensive team and I felt like the team that played the best defense tonight would have the best chance to win. We've been focusing on it and trying to iron out some things. I felt like it was more team defense. We've been playing too much one-on-one defense, so we said we have to be more of a teammate on defense and I felt like we were."

On Transition Baskets:
"That's our best offense is transition. When we can get steals or rebounds and we have Deja and Maria who push the ball and we have post players who can run the floor. Stacie and Mackenzie run the floor great. So when we get moving that's probably our best offense. I was really pleased especially in the third quarter how we got out and got some layups."

On Stacie Jones' Career Night:
"She was very efficient, got to the free throw line. I ran the very first play of the game for her and she hit it. She didn't force anything. She's an amazing athlete. I'm really proud of her having the double-double."

STACIE JONES QUOTES

On Career Night:
"I just try to do my best in whatever I can do. I know my jump shot I've been working on for a while now, so I'm getting really comfortable with it. With the rebounds, I just love rebounding. It's an effort thing and I think that's my super power."

On Team's Defensive Effort:
"We are trying to focus on defense. We decided at the beginning of the season that defense was going to be our thing. I feel like when we are aggressive and have the energy and bring it every game intentionally we're good and that's what we did today."

On Summah Evans and Cianté Downs' Defensive Abilities:
"We are very excited to have Summah [back]. Summah's a great defensive player and she keeps getting better. Cianté is also amazing. I feel like we have the two top defenders in the SoCon. They are outstanding with their defense. It honestly amazes me and makes me better and I think that's why I'm so good offensively is because I'll be going up against Summah or Cianté will pick me up so they are amazing players."

UP NEXT
Mercer welcomes Western Carolina to Hawkins Arena Saturday. Tip off is at 2 p.m.

FOLLOW THE BEARS
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