Women’s basketball falls in semifinals of A-Sun tournament

The Mercer University women’s basketball team wrapped up a great season this past week in Fort Myers, Fla. The Bears took the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament by storm Tuesday evening when they beat the Jacksonville University Dolphins to advance to the semifinals.

The Dolphins had beaten Mercer the Saturday before the tournament. So, there was not much sweeter revenge for the Bears than sending Jacksonville home early in the tournament. This was the second consecutive year that the Bears have advanced to the semifinals.

“The first round of the tournament was great,” said junior Alicia Williams, “We had at least four players in double figures and all out great effort from the team as a whole.”

Williams led the team offensively with 17 points while junior Teanna Robinson led the Bears defense with 14 rebounds.

“It was probably our best game of the season, and everyone contributed” stated Williams.  The Bears were stoked about their performance and carried a lot of momentum into the semifinals when they would take on the number one seed, the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles.

The Eagles took the lead early in the first half with multiple three-point shots. They continued to stretch the lead, and the Bears could not keep up, despite their effort. The Eagles eventually bested the Bears with a 64-47 win to advance to the finals.

Despite the loss, the Bears did not leave the tournament or the season without several great honors.  Multiple players were nominated for both in season and tournament honors.

Seniors Kendra Grant and Kate Alemann received in season conference awards. Grant was selected to second All-Conference team and is ranked 16th in points per game in the Atlantic Sun.

Alemann was named, with just six other players from the Atlantic Sun, to the

Academic All-Conference team. Alemann finished the season with a 4.0 and will be graduating with a degree in Biology.

In addition, Robinson was recognized twice this season. First, Robinson was named Atlantic Sun Defensive Player of the Year. After the tournament, she was named to the All-Tournament Team.

The Bears are nowhere near disappointed with the season. “Overall, I think that we had a good season,” said Williams, “I am proud of our progress and development as a team. I think we have a lot of motivation going into the next season.”

Williams and the team both gave 100 percent of their efforts towards the season. “You never want to look back on a season and have things that you should’ve and would’ve done. You have to give everything that you have from start to finish each season.”