Macon, Ga.- The UNCG women's basketball team fell to 8-16 overall and 0-9 in Southern Conference play with a 81-47 loss on the road at Mercer Saturday afternoon. The Spartans were led by Lucy Mason (Stone Mountain, Ga./Chamblee Charter) who tallied 16 points. Jade Scaife (Fort Washington, Md./Archbishop Spalding) and Keli Foster (Hampton, Va./Bethel) were the other two Spartans to score in double-figures.

UNCG fell behind Mercer 24-12 in the opening quarter. Mercer shot just 26.3 percent in the second quarter allowing UNCG to keep the margin within 15 at halftime trailing 38-23. UNCG struggled at the free throw line in the first half connecting on just three-of-seven shots while shooting 31 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes. Mercer dominated the backboard pulling down 28 rebounds, 14 offensive, while holding UNCG to 16 boards.

To open the second half, Mercer pulled ahead by as many as 27, outscoring UNCG 20-10 in the third quarter. With 6:50 left in regulation the Bears took their first 30-point lead and held momentum through the final buzzer, leading by as many as 39 with minutes to play.

Scaife led all players in the second half with seven points while Foster added six en route to her second consecutive game in double-figures.

Overall, UNCG shot 25 percent from the field and just 41.7 percent from the charity stripe. Mercer was paced by Linnea Rosendal who drained four three-pointers and had a game-high 18 points. The Bears were 39.4 percent from the floor and 35 percent from downtown in the victory. They also connected on 10-of-13 shots from the free throw line.

UNCG returns home for a pair of SoCon games beginning Thursday, February 11 when the Spartans host Chattanooga at 7 p.m. inside Fleming Gymnasium. The game will be UNCG's 'Play 4 Kay' game and live coverage will be broadcasted on ESPN3.

-UNCG-