Thursday, March 05, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Faced with a strong Stetson offense at the tip, the Mercer Bears turned it around to take down the Hatters, 84-51, in the Thursday's first-round game of the 2009 General Shale Brick Atlantic Sun Tournament from Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena.

Stetson (8-22) started strong, going up 10-0 on the Bears in six minutes, but quickly lost their spark and Mercer (17-13) rallied back with renewed fire connecting on 18-of-28 from the floor spanning the final 14 minutes of the opening half, gaining a 17-point lead at the half. Second team All-Conference junior LaToya Jackson scored hit three 3-point field goals and totaled 11 in the first 20 minutes.

Mercer’s 31-point win margin sets a Bear tournament record. The Bears also shot a school tournament record 57.1 percent from the floor, breaking their previous record of 51.0 percent set in 2002 against Belmont. With five assists coming from Natasha Doh, Mercer matches its tournament assists record with 20.

Courtney Ford tied her career-high seven field goals to put up 14 points. Kourtney Carter was the real shooter going 8-for-8, a career-high in field goals, as well as for points (16).

The win gives Mercer its best showing since 2002. The Bears advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2006 to face the defending champions, the ETSU Lady Buccaneers on Friday at noon CT in the first semifinal match-up of the championship. The game airs on CSS and on ASun.TV

The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun stands for achievement with integrity in both the academic and athletic arenas, with a focus on the balance between the two for our student-athletes. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.