ETSU wins in Macon for first time since 2020

MACON, Ga. (Feb. 11, 2023) – ETSU women’s basketball is returning to Johnson City with another key road win, handling defending Southern Conference Champion Mercer by a 62-46 final in Macon, Ga. on Saturday.

The Bucs have now won six of their last seven games and improve to a 19-7 overall record and 6-4 conference record. The win is ETSU’s first in Macon since 2020, the first double-digit win over the Bears since 2015 and the first double-digit win in Macon since 2012.

The win also marks the best turnaround in program history, as ETSU has improved with 13 more wins from last season to this season. This year’s team also becomes the 10th team in school history to record 19 or more wins in a single season.

Mercer falls to 10-14 overall and below ETSU in the league standings with a 6-5 conference record.

The second quarter is where the momentum turned to the Blue and Gold, as ETSU outscored Mercer 21-7 in the frame — including a 12-0 run to start the quarter and a triple at the buzzer from Nevaeh Brown (Charlotte, N.C.). The Bucs’ defense remained strong into the second half, limiting Mercer to under 50 points for the game to spoil the home team’s senior day.

Brown was joined by Kendall Folley (Lebanon, Ohio) and Jakhyia Davis (Knoxville, Tenn.) as the team’s leading scorers with 12 points in a balanced effort, while Jiselle Thomas (Norwalk, Ohio) chipped in 11 points. True freshman Journee McDaniel (New Bern, N.C.) led the way in rebounding with nine, including four on the offensive end.

The ETSU defense created fits for Mercer with just 32.1 percent shooting by the Bears. Erin Houpt was the Bears’ leading scorer with 13 points, while SoCon Preseason Player of the Year Amoria Neal-Tysor was limited to just eight points on 3-14 shooting.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter: The first quarter started as a defensive effort, as the Bears lead 13-12 through the first frame. ETSU’s first points came on a spot-up three by Brown and the quarter ended with a Courtney Moore (Gainesville, Fla.) three-pointer.

Second Quarter: The second quarter was the difference maker, as ETSU went on a 12-0 run to start the frame and went on to outscore Mercer 21-7 over those 10 minutes. The Bucs had four players with at least six points, led by Moore and Brown with eight. Thomas had seven and Davis had six. ETSU went 9-14 from the floor for 64 percent and took its eighth double-digit halftime lead of the season.

Third Quarter: The Bucs continued to stay ahead with another strong quarter, owning a 15-12 advantage to take a 48-32 lead into the break. Neither team had a basket behind the arc in the third quarter until the very end, as ETSU local product Sarah Thompson (Gate City, Va.) sped down the court and hit a running jumper behind the arc as the buzzer sounded.

Fourth Quarter: Though trailing by its largest margin in the fourth quarter, Mercer began a late comeback attempt with an 8-0 run. The Bucs led by as many as 20 with 8:02 remaining (52-32), but Mercer cut it down to 12 by the 5:43 mark. That would be the closest it would get, as the Bucs coasted to the finish with stellar defense and timely baskets.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Today marks the 10th time this season ETSU has held an opponent to under 50 points in a win. Mercer joins Lafayette, Morehead State, UAlbany, UC San Diego, Vanderbilt, Virginia-Lynchburg, Charleston Southern, Converse College and Western Carolina in this category.

• The Bucs are now 4-2 against teams that qualified for the NCAA Tournament last season. The other three wins are against Longwood, Mount Saint Mary’s and UAlbany.

• The Bucs shot 44.2 percent from the field (23-52) and made six baskets behind the arc.

• Both teams were efficient from the free throw line, combining to go 19-20 from the charity stripe. ETSU was a perfect 10-10 with four from Davis and two each Brown, Moore and McDaniel.

• ETSU had a 28-12 advantage in paint scoring for a +16 margin.

• ETSU had just 11 turnovers and have been under 13 in the last 13 games.

• The Bucs are now 8-2 on the road and 11-3 when adding in neutral site games.

• ETSU is now 18-1 when leading at the half and 8-0 when leading by double digits at the half. This includes two conference games — one against Western Carolina and one against Mercer.

• ETSU’s win at Mercer today marks just the third road win over the Bears since 2016.

COMING UP NEXT

The Bucs return home to Brooks Gym next week for a pair of SoCon matchups against Wofford and Furman. Thursday’s game against Wofford is set for 7 p.m. Saturday’s game against Furman will take place at 2 p.m. with a special pre-game ceremony for graduating player Jiselle Thomas before the opening tip. 

For more information on Buccaneer women’s hoops, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the women’s basketball page.