Mercer University
13-16,7-6SoCon
Wofford
15-11,7-5SoCon
Five In Double Figures Pushes Mercer Past Wofford, 79-74
2/24/2024 9:17:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Mercer went 7-of-14 from three-point range
MACON, Ga. - Five players scored in double figures and Mercer shot 50 percent from behind the arc on the way to a 79-74 victory over the Wofford Terriers at home Saturday.
Briana Peguero led Mercer offensively with 17 points and went 4-for-8 from deep. Stacie Jones added 15 points, six rebounds and two blocks and Deja Williams added 15 points and seven assists. Summah Evans and Mackenzie Johnson each had 12 points on the day. Evans had a double-double as she had a career high 16 rebounds to go with her 12 points.
As has been a key to success for the Bears this season, Mercer once again outrebounded its opponent as Mercer had 41 rebounds to Wofford's 33.
Mercer's defense held Wofford to only 39.1 percent shooting from the field, including 20.7 percent from beyond the arc. Wofford's Rachael Rose had 21 points on 8-of-18 shooting and was just 1-for-7 from three.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 6-5 advantage, Mercer went finished the quarter by outscoring Wofford 11-4 to take a 17-9 lead after the first quarter. Evans scored Mercer's last seven points in the quarter.
After Wofford got out to a fast start in the second quarter, cutting Mercer's lead to 17-14, the Bears responded by going on a 7-0 run to take a 24-14 lead. Mercer held Wofford to just one made field goal over a span of nearly five minutes in the second quarter. Back-to-back threes from Peguero and Williams followed by a free throw from Jones finished a 14-2 run for Mercer who took its largest lead of the game at 31-16 with just under three minutes to play. Mercer would take a 38-23 lead into halftime.
Mercer continued to preserve its halftime lead as neither team could go on a scoring run in the third quarter. Mercer's 15-point halftime lead remained that five minutes into the third with the score 49-34, Bears. Mercer led 61-51 after the third quarter.
Wofford started the fourth quarter on a 9-2 run to make it a one possession game at 63-60. A layup from Wofford's Maddie Heiss made it 70-68 Mercer with four minutes to play. Leading 76-73 with 50 seconds to play, Willams broke Wofford's press and scored to put Mercer back up two possessions. Mercer took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 10 of its 18 fourth quarter points in the paint.
Game Notes
- Summah Evans notched a double-double for the Bears with 12 points and 16 rebounds. Her 16 rebounds were a career high
- The Bears made half of their attempts from three point range, knocking down seven of 14 shots
- Mercer tallied 18 total assists in the game. Its second most in a game this season
- Peguero's four made three-pointers were the most she's made in a game this season
- Mercer held Wofford to just 6-of-29 (20.7%) from three-point range
Mercer welcomes the Samford Bulldogs to Hawkins Arena next Saturday, March 2 for senior day. Tip off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
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