Feb. 13, 2003

MACON, Ga. - Lindsey Harris scored a career-high 19 points, but it wasn't enough as Mercer defeated Samford, 85-57, in Atlantic Sun Women's Basketball action at Porter Gym Thursday afternoon. Karen Hickman and April Dyer each scored 16 points to lead four Lady Bears in double figures.

The Bulldogs fell to 5-16 and 1-9 in the Atlantic Sun. Samford shot a season-high 75 percent from 3-point range in the second half. Harris was 5-of-7 from the behind the arc. Mercer finished the game shooting 60 percent while the Bulldogs only shot 36 percent. Samford committed 22 turnovers. Mercer held the advantage on the boards, 31-28.

Mercer held a 43-17 halftime lead, but only outscored the Bulldogs, 42-40 in the second half. Chelsee Insell scored all 11 of her points in the half. Giovanni Price finished with 12 points.

The Bears led by as many as 40 points three times in the second half - the last time coming with 9:29 remaining, the Bears led 69-28. The Bulldogs ended the game on a 29-16 run to make for the final score. Harris, Insell and Giovanni Price combined for six three-pointers down the stretch.

Dyer scored 10 first half points to help Mercer to a 43-17 halftime lead. Mercer shot 65 percent in the first half including 70 percent from 3-point range, while Samford only shot 26 percent.

Mercer led by as many as 27 points at 40-13 with 2:30 left in the half. Samford didn't score more than 20 points in the first half for second consecutive game. Harris had seven points in the first half.

Jo Jo Carter added 12 points while Jo Shaw chipped in 11 points.

Samford wraps up A-Sun cross-divisional play when it travels to Troy State Saturday at 2 p.m.