Women’s basketball (12-6, 2-1 Southern Conference) defeated Samford University (8-12, 1-2 SoCon) in Hawkins Arena on Saturday, 76-67.
The Bulldogs struggled to hold onto the ball in the face of the Bears’ defense, turning it over 23 times while Mercer recorded 12 steals in the game. The Bears’ 31 points off turnovers nearly doubled their season average of 16.7.
Turning defense into offense played a large role in withholding the Bulldogs, who shot 53% from deep and 51% from the field. Samford was led by Sierra Godbolt, who recorded a career-high 19 points against the Bears.
Mercer was also able to shut down freshman guard Kaylee Yarbrough, who had averaged nearly 16 points in her last four games for the Bulldogs. Yarbrough was coming off of a 23-point performance against SoCon foes Western Carolina University when she started her fifth collegiate game Saturday. The Bears' defense limited her to seven points with five turnovers.
The Bears held an 11-point lead heading into halftime after a comfortable first two quarters in which Abigail Holtman ‘27 recorded 11 points, including a 3-of-6 mark from deep, and Talia Kemp ‘28 dished six assists. By the end of the game, Holtman scored 22 points and Kemp had seven assists and led the team with three steals. Ariana Bennet ‘26 added 15 points, nine rebounds and two steals.
Mercer was streaky in the second half, charging to an 18-point lead late in the third quarter only to let Samford back into the game in the fourth. A couple uncontested drives into the paint and sharp shooting by Samford seemed to shift the momentum in favor of the visitors, who cut the lead down to five with two minutes left.
As time slipped away, the Bulldogs were forced to foul the Bears, who shot 82% from the free throw line in the game, including 12-of-12 in the last quarter. With 22 seconds left, Holtman’s two made free throws sealed the game for Mercer.
The Bears stay at home for their next two games, looking to extend their six-game home win streak. They play Furman University (11-8, 3-1 SoCon) on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7:00 p.m. and then host Wofford College (9-9, 3-1 SoCon) on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 2:00 p.m.
Gabriel Kopp '26 is double majoring in Journalism and Law and Public Policy at Mercer University. He has written for The Cluster since he started at Mercer, and currently works as editor-in-chief. When he isn't completing a Washington Post crossword, he enjoys going for runs around Macon and reading The New York Times or the AJC while sipping coffee.
