Even with three players finishing the night with double-digit scoring efforts, the Georgia Southern University women’s basketball team lost a nail-biter to the Mercer University Bears, 48-44, at home on Friday night.

Junior guard Mimi Dubose led the way with 18 points. She shot 7-13 from the field and 4-8 from beyond the three-point line. Dubose far and away leads the Eagles in scoring and averages over 15 points per game. Dubose also finished the game with four rebounds and one assist.

GSU led the game at the half by a score of 25-20 and continued to lead until the eight minute mark in the second half. It was a game that saw a lot of back and forth down the stretch, but instead of a lot of back and forth baskets it was a lot of back and forth missed shots. The Eagles were 17-53 from the field whereas the Bears were not much better, shooting 20-62. Missed opportunities and untimely misses at the rim is what cost GSU this game.

One thing that the team can take away from the game is that it held on to the ball much better than in prior games. GSU, a team that averages 21 turnovers per game, only gave the ball away 11 times on Friday night.

Junior forward Danielle Spencer was second in scoring totals for the Eagles with 12 points. Spencer is normally one of the primary rebounders for the team but came through with an impressive scoring performance. Until Friday she only averaged four points per game.

Last year’s freshman standout, sophomore guard Anna Claire Knight, ended the contest with 10 points and five rebounds.

However disheartening a 1-5 record may be, some good things can be taken from Friday’s loss. We can see that the offensive firepower for the Eagles is there, it just needs to be maintained and increased from the entire team’s standpoint. Also, the small amount of turnovers was a very good sign for GSU. If the Eagles wish to make a Southern Conference run, controlling the ball is a must.

The team’s next game is not until December 18 at Stetson University.