Rough going; Bucs struggle to find offensive rhythm in 87-77 loss to Mercer

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Katie Tull had a game-high 16 points for the Charleston Southern women's basketball team, but six players scored in double figures for Mercer University and the Bears defeated the Buccaneers 87-77 Saturday night at CSU Field House in the final game of the Lowcountry Women’s Classic.

Tull went 5-for-15 from behind the three-point line, and also contributed four steals. Kelsey Wasmer and Lakeitha Alston both scored 14, and Alston contributed four rebounds. She shot 5-of-6 from the field and went 4-for-4 from the free-throw line.

Shay Jones came off the bench and had a solid performance, scoring 11 and assisting on seven baskets, while recording five rebounds.

Mercer was led by Lindsey Lowrie, who hit five three’s to give her a team-high 15 points. LaToya Jackson scored 14 points and added eight assists, and Sharmesia Smith came off the bench to score 13. Courtney Ford nearly notched a quadruple-double, as she finished with 13 points, 15 assists, nine rebounds and eight steals.

Lacy Ramon had 11 and Kourtney Carter added 10 for the Bears.

MU shot 53 percent from the field and went 48 percent from behind the arc. Charleston Southern shot 43 percent from the field and 32 percent from the three-point line.

The Bears jumped out to a 12-5 lead, but three quick CSU buckets knotted the score at 12 all at the 12:18 mark. Charleston Southern maintained a steady three-point advantage throughout the remainder of the first half, until a quick 8-4 run to end the half gave Mercer a slim 38-37 halftime advantage.

The two teams battled back and forth to try and swing momentum to their side for the majority of the second half, and it was apparent that a few mistakes here and there could cost either team the victory.

Danielle Gibson knocked down a jumper midway through the second half to give CSU the 60-59 lead, but Smith scored the next time down the floor for Mercer, and the Buccaneers would never again see the lead.

Turnovers and missed shots late cost CSU the game, as the Bears took advantage of every mistake to stretch the lead out to the final 87-77 mark.

The Buccaneers (1-2) and Bears (1-2) were matched up for the first time since 2000-01, and Mercer now owns a 5-4 all-time series advantage.

Charleston Southern will take a few days to regroup, and the team will try and rebound at 7 p.m. Nov. 24 against Bluefield (Va.) College.