MACON, Ga.  – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women's basketball team dropped a 76-52 road contest at Mercer in Hawkins Arena on Thursday night.

HOW IT HAPPENED
A jumper from Mercer's Stacie Jones put the Bears up first (2-0). However, a jumper from Khalis Cain, followed by a layup from Ayanna Khalfani gave the Spartans a 4-2 lead over the Bears. Mercer quickly responded with a 10-2 run to take the lead (14-6) and hold it for the remainder of the game. With 12 seconds left in the quarter, Cain produced another layup to put UNCG back within six (16-10) at the end of the first frame.
 
Mercer continued to dominate in the second quarter by outscoring the Spartans 22-10. Both teams headed into the locker room with Mercer in control, 38-20.
 
Following the break, Cain put the Spartans on the board first in the second half with a layup assisted by Khalfani. Mercer continued to hold the advantage by outscoring UNCG 24-17 in the third frame. A final hook shot from Jay'lin Hastings concluded the third quarter with the Bears on top, 62-37.
 
Isys Grady was the first Spartan to score in the final period to spark a 9-2 run for UNCG. The Spartans were able to outscore the Bears in fourth quarter, 15-14. However, it wouldn't be enough to lessen the scoring margin previously developed by Mercer. Two final free throws from Mercer's Ariana Dyson put the final score at 76-52 for the Bears.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Jayde Gamble and Kennedy Simpson led the Spartans with eight points apiece.
• Kelly Boyle followed closely behind with six points.
• Cain and Nia Howard paced UNCG with six boards apiece.
• Thursday's game saw a total of 43 fouls from both teams.

RECORDS
UNCG: 13-5, 2-1, SoCon
Mercer: 7-12, 1-2 SoCon
 
UP NEXT
The Spartans will continue their trip south by taking on Samford on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 3 p.m. EST / 2 p.m. CST.

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