MACON, Ga. – Austin Peay State University's womens basketball concluded its away game stretch with a 78-75 double-overtime loss to Mercer, Saturday, in Hawkins arena.  

The first quarter began with back-and-forth action from the two teams. Anala Nelson started the Governors' 8-4 run with a jumper off of a Mercer turnover, giving Austin Peay its largest lead of the first half. A three-pointer from Mercer's Briana Peguero followed by a free-throw by Mackenzie Johnson tied the game, 8-8. The Bears went on a 9-3 run, giving them the lead by six at 17-11. A jumper from outside the paint by Tiya Douglas narrowed the Governors deficit to four, 17-13, at the conclusion of the first quarter.  

Mercer began the second quarter on a 5-0 run. A layup by Nelson ended the Governors five-minute scoring drought with 6:03 left in the second quarter, cutting their deficit to seven points, 22-15. A layup by Cur'Tiera Haywood cut their deficit to as little as five points, however the Bears responded with a 9-2 run, giving them their largest lead of the night at 31-19 with 3:03 remaining in the half. The Governors answered with an 8-2 run, getting back within six points of the Bears headed into halftime.  

The third quarter was Austin Peay's most efficient defensively, as it held Mercer to just seven points with a 14.3 field-goal percentage. A driving layup from the paint by Nelson gave the Governors their first lead, 35-36, since they scored first in the first quarter. The Governors went on a 11-2 run, giving them the lead by 10 at 37-47. A three-pointer by Mercer's Deja Williams ended the quarter with the Governors leading by seven. 

A layup by Shamarre Hale two minutes into the fourth quarter gave the Governors the lead by nine at 42-51, however, the Bears made six of their next seven shots taken, cutting their deficit to just two points, 56-58. A layup by Hale from the paint gave the Governors the lead by four, however a layup by Mercer's Stacie Jones with 1:05 remaining in the game and a layup by Ciante Downs tied the game at 60 with 22 seconds remaining, forcing an Austin Peay timeout. Peguero attempted a jumper with six seconds remaining, but the shot was blocked by Hale and recovered by Sandra Lin, sending the game into overtime.  

The first overtime began with an 8-4 run by the Bears, giving them a five-point lead at 69-64 with 1:03 remaining on the clock. Haywood made a driving layup in the paint and was fouled by Jones, sending her to the free-throw line for one attempt. After making the shot, Austin Peay was within two of Mercer at 69-67 with 54 seconds remaining in overtime. A second chance layup by Hale tied the game at 69, sending the two teams into a second overtime. The two teams continued to battle in the second overtime, but Mercer made their final three shots to take the game, 78-75. 

The Difference  

Fouls. Austin Peay had 23 personal fouls compared to Mercer's 13. The Bears made 19 of 27 attempted free-throws, while the Governors made seven of 14 attempts.  

Inside the Box Score  

• Shamarre Hale and Abby Cater each scored a team-high 19 points. This is the first time Cater has been a leading scorer this season and the fifth time Hale has led.  

• Hale grabbed a team-high nine rebounds, marking the third time she has been a leading rebounder this season. 

• Sandra Lin led the team with seven assists, which is the seventh time this season.  

• Haywood, Lin, and Nelson each grabbed three steals each.  

• Austin Peay scored 50 points from the paint compared to Mercer's 28. 

Up Next 

The Governors make their return home as they play Murray State in a 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 9, game in Clarksville at F&M Bank Arena.