WASHINGTON (December 18, 2018) --- Coach Ty Grace and the Howard University women's basketball team lost, 85-70, to Mercer, in tonight's nonconference game at Burr Gymnasium.
The Bison (7-4, 0-0 MEAC) started the game off strong taking a 9-0 lead early in the game. But Mercer (6-5, 0-0 SoCon) responded by going on a 19-2 run to end the quarter.

"We started off pretty aggressively, made some shots. They figured it out, made a small adjustment and we couldn't seem to lock in defensively to get some stops when we needed. So, you know, they did a good job," said Grace afterwards.

Howard shot just 27% (12-of-43) from the field in the first half. At halftime, the Bison found themselves trailing 36-28.

With 4:54 to play in the third quarter, sophomore Jayla Thornton hit a free throw to pull the Bison within eight, 42-34. That was the closest Howard would get for the rest of the game. Mercer ended the quarter outscoring Howard, 17-11.

"Again, possession by possession, I guess we were playing a little bit more tentatively because we didn't have the lead and you know we've been in that situation before so Mercer turned us over and they finished. Our transition defense was not on point tonight, you know we weren't getting back and finding people. We gave up layups, loose balls, Mercer was beating us to 50-50 balls, so that was kind of how the game went most of the time," said Grace in a post-game interview.

Howard attempted several runs throughout the game, but Mercer had a response every time.

"Every time we got it within 10, we would either foul or they would hit a shot, and we just couldn't lock in enough defensively to get some stops. We would squeeze the gap and close the gap, and then they go up 12, and then we're back down 10, and then they're up 14. So, we just couldn't close the gap under 10. They did a good job making plays and finishing," said Grace.

Thornton led the Bison with 20 points on 6-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-8 from behind the arc. Junior Ayonna Williams added 14 points and seven rebounds.

Mercer was led by Keke Calloway, who finished with a game high 27 points and Amanda Thompson, who had a double double with 21 points and 18 rebounds.

The Bison continue their season on Friday (Dec. 21) when they take on Cincinnati on the road. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

About Howard University Athletics
The Howard University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics sponsors 19 NCAA Division I men and women varsity sports. The programs represent six conferences: the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association (CCSA), Sun Belt Conference, Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and Atlantic Sun (ASUN) Conference. Visit www.hubison.com to learn more.