University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Mercer
Women's Hoops Holds Off Mercer, 66-60
12.21.2007 | Women's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Stacy Shepard scored 19 points and grabbed 15 rebounds as UNC Asheville held off Mercer, 66-60 in women's college basketball action at Justice Center Friday night.
The Bulldogs (7-5) led 45-29 at halftime but shot just 16 percent from the field in the second half as the Lady Bears rallied to tie the game twice.
Mercer (3-8) was led by Sarah Russell with 12 points, while Kourtney Carter and Nicole Leonard added 10 points each.
Ashton Barton finished with 11 points for Asheville. She went 9-of-10 from the free throw line and had three steals. Junior guard Ana Baker dished out five assists.
"We survived and we'll take it," commented UNC Asheville coach Betsy Blose. "We played very well in the first half but then just couldn't hit a shot in the second half. However, we found a way to win when the going got tough and that's always encouraging for a young team."
The Bears tied the game at 56-56 on a jumper from Leonard with four minutes left. But freshman Arescia Moore gave the Bulldogs the lead for good with two free throws at the 3:49 mark for a 58-56 advantage.
A three-point play from Kendall Shepard on the next possession for Asheville gave the Bulldogs a little breathing room at 61-56.
Mercer crept to 62-60 on a jumper from Russell with 27 seconds remaining. A free throw from Kendall Shepard gave Asheville a 63-60 lead. The Bears had a chance to tie with a trey on the next possession but a steal from Barton denied the visitors. Barton sealed the victory with two free throws for a 65-60 lead.
Center Stacy Shepard was 8-of-10 from the field for Asheville to finish with a season-high 19 points. Her 15 rebounds moved her into seventh place on the career rebounding list at UNC Asheville. She has 587 rebounds. It was her third double-double in the last four games.
The Bulldogs dominated the first half. Shepard scored 13 of her points in the opening half as the senior center went 6-of-7 from the field to help Asheville lead 45-29 at halftime. The Bulldogs controlled the backboards with a 28-16 advantage. All nine players for Asheville scored in the first half. Three different players had six points each.
The Bulldogs built a 10-point midway through the half as Mercer hung around thanks to eight points from Russell. However, Asheville ended the half with six straight points, getting two lay-ups from Lindsey Montgomery and two free throws from Barton.
UNC Asheville plays next in the State Farm Classic Tournament at the University of Florida from Dec. 28-29. The Bulldogs take on Alabama A&M on Dec. 28 at 4:30 p.m.
