Quick start leads Mercer women past College of Charleston

The Mercer Bears jumped to a 16-8 first-quarter lead and led the entire way as they defeated the College of Charleston 66-58 in women's action Wednesday night. Linnea Rosendal scored 12 points in the first half on four 3-pointers and ended up with 21 points as the Bears improved to 8-5.

Mercer shot only 30 percent in the first quarter but led by eight behind the play of Kahlia Lawrence, who scored eight points, and Amanda Thompson, who had six rebounds. The Bears stretched their lead to 15 pointswith 5:49 left in the second quarter on two 3-pointers by Rosendal, but College of Charleston, behind the shooting of Jackie Luna, Castro and Breanna Bolden, cut the Bears' lead to 35-29 at the half.

College of Charleston scored the first two points of the third quarter to make it a 35-31 game, but Rosendal hit another 3-pointer to start a 7-0 run to push the Bears' lead to 42-31, and the Bears kept a comfortable 52-43 lead heading into the final quarter. Lawrence scored seven of her 18 points in the third quarter.

College of Charleston pulled to within 56-54 on a 3-pointer by Kelsey Booth, but Rosendal hit her seventh 3-pointer of the game to help the Bears hold on.

THREE WHO MATTERED

Rosendal: The 6-foot-1 freshman from Sweden was 7-of-17 on 3-pointers for a game-high 22 points to help the Bears maintain their lead.

Lawrence: The sophomore scored eight points in the first quarter to help Mercer jump out to an early lead, and after a quiet second quarter, she got things going again in the third quarter with eight more points. She finished with 20 points.

Thompson: She averages 4.8 rebounds per game for the season but had 12 on Wednesday night, including six offensive. She also had five assists.

Sydni Means: The 5-foot-5 sophomore guard had 12 points, seven assists and six rebounds. She also made 3-of-4 free throws in the final 1:30.

THEY SAID IT

Mercer head coach Susie Gardner on her team's performance after a nine-day layoff: "I was very pleased with the intensity we came out with, and we were able to get off to a great start in the first quarter."

Gardner on College of Charleston getting back into the game: "College of Charleston is a very good team, and they only lost to Louisville by five. We expected them to get back into the game, and they were able to press us a little bit. But we were able to make plays when we had to."

Gardner on where her team is at this point of the season: "I think we are ahead of where I thought we would be at this point. This is a team that is not scared to get on the floor, and I can honestly say they give it all they have every single day. They are really a fun bunch to coach every day."

Gardner on Rosendal and her 17 3-attempts: "They were playing zone against us and giving her open looks, so we were just taking advantage of what they gave us. She has the ability to knock down the 3-pointer."

NEXT UP

Mercer hosts North Florida at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

This story was originally published December 30, 2015 at 9:39 PM.