MACON, Ga. – Chanel Wilson's driving layup with 4.3 seconds remaining lifted Bethune-Cookman to a 60-58 come-from-behind victory at Mercer on Saturday afternoon in women's basketball action at Hawkins Arena. For BCU, the contest was the final nonconference game of the 2023-24 regular season.
 
After leading almost the entirety of the first three (3) quarters of play, Bethune-Cookman (9-4) suddenly saw itself looking up at a 49-45 deficit heading into the fourth quarter. Mercer (5-10) ended the third quarter on a 9-2 run, thanks in part to baskets coming from Stacie Jones in the paint, as well as free throws from Maria Serracanta.
 
Facing one of the tallest teams its seen all season, BCU was outscored 24-11 in the third period.
 
But in the fourth quarter, Chanelle McDonald and Chanel Wilson took over for the visiting Wildcats.
 
A Deja Williams putback jumper pushed the Mercer lead out to its largest of the game at 56-49 with 5:27 remaining in regulation. BCU's Wilson answered moments later with her fourth three-pointer of the afternoon, cutting the deficit back to four for the Wildcats. That jumper sparked a 7-0 run for BCU as McDonald connected on a jumper in the paint stemming from a shot clock violation charged to the Bears.
 
Another turnover was converted into a layup for the guests as McDonald's driving basket tied the game at 56-all with 2:37 remaining in the fourth quarter.
 
Once again, it was Jones able to work herself behind the BCU defense and put her side back up by two (58-56). However, BCU graduate student guard Wilson – a native of Powder Springs, Georgia – answered for her team with a pull-up jumper just outside the paint to knot the game at 58-58.
 
After turnovers from both teams in equal possessions, Mercer had a chance to step ahead with 15 seconds showing on the clock as Jones went to the foul line. She missed both free throws as D'Shantae Edwards hauled in the rebound off the second miss. That set the stage for Wilson to go one-on-one with Mercer's Briana Peguero and knifing to the hole for the game-winning basket.
 
In the fourth quarter, Wilson was a perfect 3-for-3 from the field, while McDonald was 4 of 5 shooting, as the pair combined for all 15 of the team's points in the final stanza.
 
Bethune-Cookman led 34-25 at the half behind the play of Kayla Clark and Kerrighan Dunn. Facing a larger lineup from the Bears, Miami native Clark used a mid-range jumper for five first half points.
 
The Wildcats scored 20 points in the opening quarter behind point guard Edwards as she accumulated six first half points to go along with three steals. Dunn led all BCU players with nine (9) first half points – seven of those coming in the second quarter.
 
On the day, BCU limited the Bears to just 3 of 7 shooting from long range, including slowing the hot-shooting Peguero to just 10 points. The Cats were able to get back to the foul line in the contest, converting 73.3 percent of those opportunities.
 
But it was the points in the paint that stood out as the Cats outscored the taller Bears by a 28-26 advantage in the post. BCU also turned 19 Mercer miscues into 15 points, while the Wildcats bench outscored the Bears 15-13 in that department.
 
Mercer was led on the day by Jones with 14 points, followed in double-figures scoring by Summah Evans (12) and Peguero (10). Evans led the rebounding efforts of the Bears with eight.
 
BCU was charged in scoring by Wilson with 18 points, adding to her team-high matching six rebounds and two steals. Daimoni Dorsey also had six rebounds off the bench, while teammate O'Mariyah Tucker registered six boards of her own. Edwards finished with a pair of assists and five steals.
 
Bethune-Cookman now turns its attention to Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play as the Cats welcome in-state opponent Florida A&M to Richard V. Moore Gymnasium in what will be the league-opener for both teams on Saturday, Jan. 6, at 2 p.m.
 
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