Box Score (PDF)

MACON, Ga. – Sophomore guard Michaela Hunter recorded a double-double with career highs in points (27) and rebounds (12) during the Eastern Kentucky University women's basketball team's 69-64 loss to host Mercer on Saturday night at Hawkins Arena in the consolation bracket of the Preseason WNIT.
 
EKU (1-2) trailed by double digits, 57-47, with 6:30 to play in the game, but the Colonels staged a furious rally and tied the Bears, 60-60, on a three-pointer by Hunter with 2:17 on the clock.
 
Mercer stretched its lead back to five, 66-61, before Hunter hit another desperation three-pointer – her fifth of the game – to make it a one-possession game with 20 ticks showing.
 
The Bears converted two free throws on their next possession, though, and the Colonels missed their ensuing three-point attempt, and the game was over.
 
"We knew coming in that it was going to be a battle for 40 minutes," head coach Chrissy Roberts said. "I'm proud of how well our kids responded. We talk about how this game is a game of runs. Things don't always go our way. We fought, we battled, we competed and we just came up short, but we'll take this game and grow as a team and get better. That's a very good Mercer team."
 
Hunter finished 10-of-20 from the field and 5-of-7 from behind the arc. She also collected a team-best 12 boards, dished out three assists, blocked a shot and came up with a steal.
 
Junior guard Shameekia Murray added 16 points and two assists. Junior forward Shelly Harper scored seven points and grabbed eight rebounds.
 
Precious Bridges scored 21 points to lead Mercer.
 
EKU will travel to Wilmington, N.C. next week to play in the UNCW Hampton Inn Thanksgiving Classic. The Colonels will play Western Carolina on Friday at 12:00 p.m. and North Florida on Saturday at 12:00 p.m.