Mercer University
10-15,4-5SoCon
Chattanooga
21-3,9-0SoCon
Mercer Comes Up Short At Home To Chattanooga, 61-52
2/10/2024 4:31:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Bears had season low 7 turnovers
MACON, Ga. - The Mercer women's basketball team held Chattanooga to just 38.8 percent shooting from the field, but shots couldn't fall for the Bears either as Chattanooga defeated Mercer, 61-52 in Hawkins Arena Saturday.
The Bears had two players score in double figures, led by Mackenzie Johnson, who had 11 points. Deja Williams added 10 points and Briana Peguero added seven points, two steals and two blocks.
Neither team had a very efficient day shooting the ball as each team shot below 40.0 percent from the field for the day. Both teams did have success from the free throw line as Chattanooga went 18-for-21 (85.7%) and Mercer 11-for-11.
Mercer did a great job disrupting Chattanooga shots in the contest, coming away with six blocks. Peguero's two rejections led the way individually for the Bears.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After falling behind 4-2, Mercer went on a 7-0 run with 5:47 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Maria Serracanta, to take a 9-4 lead. Chattanooga then responded to tie things up at 9-9 heading into the second quarter. Mercer did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring six of its nine points close to the basket.
The Mocs made a three-pointer just before the halftime buzzer and took a 25-19 lead into halftime.
A jumper from Jones early in the third quarter made it 30-25 Chattanooga. The Bears weren't able to go on a run to continue to cut into the lead however as Chattanooga took a 42-33 lead into the final quarter.
Mercer kept the Mocs from increasing their lead before going on a 5-0 run to shrink the deficit to 47-43 with 4:35 to go in the contest. Chattanooga was able to make its free throws and protect the ball as they closed out the game.
NOTES
- Mercer had a season low seven turnovers
- The Bears went 11-for-11 from the free throw line - tied for its most made free throws without a miss in a game this season
- Cianté Downs had half of Mercer's offensive rebounds with four on the afternoon
COACH GARDNER QUOTES
On Challenges Chattanooga's top two scorers present:
"Raven and Jada for the whole year score half their points collectively. Our goal was to get the ball out of their hands and we didn't do a great job of that. I mean they scored 44 of their 61 points. I thought we had the hustle and the desire, but we just weren't able to stop them. Then, we just unfortunately had a really, really cold shooting night all the way around. I think our post players did a decent job shooting the ball which was our goal but I still don't think we got the ball inside enough this game."
UP NEXT
Mercer goes back on the road to Cullowhee, North Carolina to play Western Carolina on Thursday, Feb. 15. Tip off is scheduled for 7 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.
