JACKSON, Miss.| Jackson State battled with intensity on Wednesday morning at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center, pushing Mercer for four quarters before ultimately falling 78–68 in the non-conference matchup.

Mikayla Brown picked up her first double-double of the season, recording 12 points and 10 rebounds. Rhema Pegues scored 14 points and shot 4-for-4 from the free throw line. Jaileyah Cotton, Leianya Massenat and Pierre-Noelle Tchehchoua each finished with 10 points on the day.

The Tigers out-rebounded Mercer 35-32 in Wednesday's game, led by Brown's 10 boards. JSU also collected 12 offensive rebounds and scored 13 second chance points.

The Jackson State's defense caused its share of mistakes, forcing 15 Mercer turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 15 points on the other end of the floor. Jaileyah Cotton's three steals led the way individually for the Tigers.

How It Happened

• Jackson State struggled out of the gate, falling behind 28-18 at the end of the first quarter.
• Mercer kept adding to that lead, building a 38-23 advantage before Jackson State went on a 5-0 run, highlighted by a three from Pegues, to narrow its deficit to 38-28.
• The Bears responded and expanded its lead, leaving the Tigers trailing 46-34 heading into halftime.
• Mercer continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 48-34 advantage before Jackson State went on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Brown, to trim its deficit to 48-39 with 7:51 to go in the third.
• Mercer countered and stretched its lead to 68-54 heading into the fourth.
• JSU scored 10 of its 20 points in the paint.
• Jackson State narrowed its deficit in the fourth quarter, but could not get over the hump, losing 78-68.
• The Tigers fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down two shots to account for six of its 14 points.

Inside the Numbers

• Mikayla Brown notched a double-double for the Tigers with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
• The Jackson State bench came alive by scoring 38 points to its scoring output.
• Rhema Pegues and Pierre-Noelle Tcheuhchoua came off the bench to score 14 and 10 points, respectively.
• The Jackson State defense forced 15 turnovers.
• The Tiges cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 12 offensive boards in the game.

Up Next
JSU is set to host Arkansas State on Sunday afternoon at the Lee E. Williams AAC. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m.

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