MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama women's basketball team lost its first home game of the season, 67-53, to Mercer on Friday. 

Dee Haymer paced the Jags with 15 points in addition to nine rebounds. Destiny Samuel followed in both categories with 10 points and six rebounds. 

Endia Banks led Mercer with a game-high 21 points. Three more Bears posted double digit figures with Amoria Neal-Tysor at 16, Jaron Dougherty at 12 and Shannon Titus at 11. Titus also led all players with 11 rebounds. 

GAME FACTS
- South Alabama went on a 7-0 run early in the first quarter, to which Mercer responded to with a 7-0 run of its own in building a 17-11 advantage at the end of the period.
- The Jags outscored the Bears 19-16 in the second period, however, to make the score 33-30 at halftime. 
- Haymer was responsible for seven of the Jags' 14 points in the third quarter, although Mercer led by as much as 11 before closing the period up 53-44.
- South went was scoreless over a five-minute stretch as the Bears opened the final period with nine straight points before Casey Ferguson ended the Jags' scoring drought with a three-pointer off an opponent turnover.
- Haymer and Mahogany Vaught followed with back-to-back layups, but Mercer by limiting USA to just one field goal over the final four-and-a-half minutes of play. 

NOTES
- The loss snapped South Alabama's four-game win streak over Mercer. 
- South attempted only nine free throws, the first time since a Feb. 6 victory at Coastal Carolina last year that it has had fewer than 10 foul shots in a game. 
- Haymer recorded career-high figures in points and rebounds. 
- It was the first time this season Samuel has posted a double-digit point total. 
- Vaught had a season-best five assists, leading the Jags in the category for the second time this season. 
- Ferguson posted a season-high six points by going 2-for-4 beyond the arc. 
- Kiana Anderson was responsible for South Alabama's lone block of the contest. 

THEY SAID IT
Head Coach Terry Fowler
-Opening Statement: "I thought we came out and really fought and had a really good first half. Then was able to get in there and get the lead in the second half for a minute. What I just told the team was we need to cut down on our defensive mistakes and increase our offensive efficiency. If we can bridge the gap between those two then that's a ball game. We were rebounding, we did a pretty good job on the boards. But they is a veteran ball club with lots of seniors and transfers so they have been there and done that and that shows in some shot clock situations. They made tough baskets and just kept putting the pressure on us. We would go on a run then they would come back which meant that we had to be perfect and we just couldn't do that."

-On Dee Haymer: "Dee was great. She is trying to get into a flow. We just kept telling her all throughout the game that they are going to fall and to keep going. So to see that ball go through the basket and for her to score was what she needed to do so hopefully it will carry on as we go to Alabama State on Sunday." 

Senior G Dee Haymer
-On her performance: "It feels good getting back in the groove this early in the season. My teammates put me in good positions and I was just being aggressive."

-On looking ahead to Alabama State: "We need to box out more and fix some defensive mistakes. We have to limit turnovers too, we had 17 to finish the game. So if we limit our turnovers and make a few more baskets we will be good." 

UP NEXT
South Alabama will travel to Alabama State on Sunday. 

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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