SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford women's basketball team could not overcome Mercer's defense at the Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium Thursday night. Though Lilly Hatton tallied a double-double, the Terriers struggled on offense to fall to 13-11 overall and 8-2 in SoCon play. Mercer improves to 18-6 and 11-1 in league action.
 
Something had to give Thursday night, and Mercer's league-best defense won out over Wofford's league-best offense. The Terriers were held to just 27.1 percent from the field on a 19-of-70 clip and 19.2 percent from three-point range. The Bears topped each of those marks, shooting 45.7 percent overall and 36.4 percent beyond the arc. The majority of the Mercer attack came in the paint, as the Bears doubled up Wofford's points in the paint, 32-16. The Bears won the glass, securing 40 boards to Wofford's 34. The Terriers posted six blocks for a second-straight game to match their season-high.
 
Lilly Hatton led the way for Wofford with her first double-double of the season (fourth career). It's the seventh double-double by Terrier this season, and the junior is the fourth different player on the squad to record one. Her 17 points matched her season-high, originally set against Southern Wesleyan on Nov. 19, and her 12 rebounds tied her career-high. She also added two blocks.
 
Niyah Lutz was the only other Terrier in double figures with 12 points. She also topped the team with two assists and swiped three steals, adding her first block of the campaign. The senior secured seven rebounds.
 
Alexis Tomlin tallied eight points and seven boards while also blocking three shots. Jackie Carman contributed six points, and Reagan Rapert added three points. They each dished an assist.
 
Off the bench, Sydnee Richetto provided some life late with seven points. Abbey Crawford added four points of her own. Annabelle Schultz pulled down three boards.
 
Mercer won the opening tip and jumped out to a quick 6-2 lead. Lilly Hatton hit a three-pointer to try to get Wofford going, but Mercer would pull back out to a 16-8 lead at the 3:48 mark. However, Wofford would secure a 6-2 run in the final three minutes of the opening quarter to keep things close, utilizing a couple of trips to the free throw line. The Terriers only trailed 18-14.
 
Wofford opened the second quarter well thanks to Niyah Lutz. The senior took charge with five-straight points to put the Terriers in front. After converting two free throws, Lutz drained a triple to put Wofford up one at the 8:26 mark. However, one minute and eight seconds later, the Bears would regain the lead and not look back. A 13-point run for the Bears stretched their lead to 31-19 with 4:06 remaining. Lilly Hatton would swish a trey to end the run, and though she would follow it up with two successful foul shots, Mercer secured five consecutive points to end the half. Wofford trailed 36-24 at the break.
 
The second quarter was the roughest for Wofford in the contest, as the Terriers only mustered two field goals (both threes) and shot 10.5 percent (2-of-19).
 
The second half started quietly, as neither team scored until Jackie Carman sank a free throw just over two minutes in. The Bears then scored seven-straight points to keep the Terriers at bay. Wofford was held without a field goal until Sydnee Richetto made a jumper with 4:21 left. Abbey Crawford added a score in the paint, and from there the squads practically traded blows the rest of the way, with Mercer having an answer for every Terrier attempt at momentum. The Bears continued to lead after three, 55-36.
 
Jackie Carman scored to open the final quarter, and though Mercer answered, Sydnee Richetto drilled a three-ball to give the Terriers some life. Mercer continued to have an answer for everything, as though the Terriers found their rhythm, the Bears continued to match the scores. Reagan Rapert swished a triple at the 5:24 mark, but a seven-point run would put the Bears' lead over 20 points and effectively put the game out of reach. Jackie Carman scored at the 2:38 mark, and Niyah Lutz followed with an and-one play, but it was too little, too late. The squads traded some more blows in the closing minutes, but Mercer would prevail, 74-57.
 
Wofford remains at home to take on Samford on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 2:00 p.m. It will be senior day in the Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium. The Terriers then welcome the UNCG Spartans to town on Monday, Feb. 21 at 7:00 p.m. to conclude the homestand.