University of North Florida
MERCER
Season ends with loss at Mercer
3/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 4, 2006
MACON, Ga. - The University of North Florida women's basketball team ended its season on Saturday in a defensive struggle with Mercer, falling to the Bears 49-41 at University Center in Macon, Ga.
C.C. Woolfolk scored 11 points off the bench to lead the Lady Ospreys, while Jennifer Guldager had 10 rebounds. UNF ends its season with an 11-17 record and a 9-11 mark in conference play.
Mercer (13-14, 10-10 A-Sun) opened things with a quick 4-0 spurt, but North Florida stayed close and took a one-point lead with 6:55 left in the first. The Bears responded and entered halftime with a nine-point lead on a last-second jumper from Sarah Russell.
North Florida started hot in the second half, trimming the Mercer lead to two just five minutes into the frame. The Bears answered, as Tanya Kessenich hit a jumper and Erin Keller hit a 3-pointer to give Mercer a 34-27 lead.
The Bears extended their lead to 13 on a Russell layup with 4:14 remaining. Mercer's defense kept the lead safe, holding UNF to 20 percent shooting in the second half, as the Lady Ospreys made seven field goals in the frame.
Mercer struggled from the field in the second half, but made 12-of-17 free throws to compensate for its shooting woes from the floor.
Two juniors and a sophomore were the offensive keys for the Bears. Erin Keller led all scorers with 12 points, connecting on a trio of treys. Russell had her fifth double-double of the season with 11 points and tied a career-high with 13 rebounds.
Kessenich narrowly missed a double-double with eight points and 10 rebounds.
The Lady Ospreys outrebounded Mercer 44-42, while each team turned the ball over 19 times.
With the end of the season, UNF says a sad farewell to seniors Kayla Sheldon, Jackie Beik, Alana Mountfield and Karli Knudsen.
