Colonials' Comeback Falls Short in 61-53 Setback to Mercer

Friday, December 21

Washington, D.C.

12 p.m.

George Washington University

(2-9)

Mercer

(7-5)

Mercer

George Washington

12/21/2018 3:04:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Seniors Mahoney and Savino hit seven total threes and combine for 25 points

WASHINGTON - GW women's basketball returned to action on Friday afternoon after an 11-day break for final exams and encountered some early rust before stringing together three solid quarters against a formidable foe. Despite numerous runs in the game, the Colonials were unable to topple visiting Mercer, falling 61-53.

After hitting just 2-of-12 shots in the opening quarter and finding the visitors ahead 16-6, GW proceeded to post two of its most productive quarters of the season, combining for 33 points and shooting a combined 54.5 percent (12-of-22) in the second and third quarters.

Senior walk-on turned starter Anna Savino led the charge with a trio of triples in the first half, connecting on consecutive deep balls to cut the Mercer advantage to six midway through the second quarter at 22-16.

Six was the margin at intermission, as well, after sophomore Chyna Latimer banked home a layup with 34 seconds left in the half to slice the Mercer lead to 28-22.

The Bears quickly pushed the lead back to 12 in the opening two minutes of the third quarter on consecutive threes from Linnea Rosendal. Mercer ultimately hit its first five shots in the frame and led by as many as 13.

GW once again responded by slimming the deficit to 45-39 on a layup from redshirt-sophomore Olivia Gumbs with 2:08 left in the period. However, the Buff & Blue were never able to get closer than six, doing so on five separate occasions after the first quarter.

Mercer expanded its advantage to as many as 16 on the backs of a 10-0 spurt before GW whittled away at the free throw line, accented by a three-point play from senior Kelsi Mahoney with 2:55 left to draw within 55-48. The Colonials would get no closer as Mercer salted the game away with four straight free throws before finishing with the eight-point win.

Mahoney led GW with 13 points (3-6 3's), six rebounds and five assists. The Concord, N.C., native has now reached double figures in scoring four times this year and led the team in scoring for the second time.

Savino reached double figures for the first time in her career, doubling her previous career best with 12 points on a quartet of trifectas. Gumbs provided eight points and five rebounds off the bench, while senior Mei-Lyn Bautista corralled five boards and dished out four assists to go along with four points in 37 minutes.

Mercer was led by Amanda Thompson, who posted a strong line of 17 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and four steals. The defending SoCon champions placed four in double figures overall.

GW shot 40 percent (18-for-45) for the game, its third-highest mark of the season. The Colonials totaled a season-best 15 helpers in the game but were undone partially by 21 turnovers that led to 24 points for the Bears.

Defensively, GW held the visitors four points below their season average, the ninth time in 11 games this year that feat has been accomplished.

Following the holiday break, GW returns to action at William & Mary on Saturday, Dec. 29 at 2 p.m. The Colonials then wrap up non-conference play with a New Year's Day matinee with Memphis at 2 p.m. in the Smith Center.