MACON, Ga. (Interstat) — Micah O’Dell scored 20 points to lead Mercer to a 61-56 victory over Gardner-Webb in a non-conference women’s basketball game on Monday night at Hawkins Arena.

In a contest defined by turnovers and missed opportunities, the Bears used a decisive run late in the fourth quarter to pull away and secure the win in front of 407 fans. The game featured 38 combined turnovers, with Mercer committing 22, but the Bears capitalized more efficiently on their chances down the stretch.

Gardner-Webb started strong, taking a 19-16 lead after the first quarter. The Runnin’ Bulldogs’ offense, however, stalled in the second period, managing only 10 points as Mercer seized a 33-29 halftime advantage.

The third quarter was a defensive battle, with Mercer outscoring Gardner-Webb 13-14 to maintain a slim 46-43 lead heading into the final frame. The Bears then opened the fourth quarter with a critical 9-2 spurt, extending their lead to 55-45 with just over six minutes remaining and creating a cushion the Runnin’ Bulldogs could not overcome.

O’Dell’s game-high 20 points came on an efficient shooting night, supplemented by four assists. Mercer’s offense was balanced, with three other players reaching double figures. Stephanie Utomi and Ariana Bennett each added 10 points, while Nahawa Diarra also chipped in 10 points, showcasing the Bears’ depth.

Gardner-Webb was led by Nyla Walker, who finished with 16 points. Makayla Legette contributed 11 points and a team-high five assists for the Runnin’ Bulldogs, who struggled mightily from the free-throw line, converting only 7 of 18 attempts.

A key factor in the game was Mercer’s ability to limit the damage from Gardner-Webb’s defensive pressure. Despite turning the ball over 22 times, the Bears held Gardner-Webb to just 10 points off those turnovers. Conversely, the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ 16 turnovers led to 21 points for Mercer.

Both teams shot similarly from the field, with Mercer finishing at 48 percent on 24-of-50 shooting and Gardner-Webb at 41.5 percent on 22-of-53 shooting. The Bears held a slight edge from beyond the arc and were significantly more effective at the charity stripe, making 7 of 8 free throws.

With the loss, Gardner-Webb falls to 0-3 on the young season. The Runnin’ Bulldogs will look for their first win on Thursday when they travel to face Virginia Tech. Mercer improves to 2-1 and will hit the road for their next contest, also on Thursday, at Wake Forest.