MACON, Ga. (Interstat) — Mercer used a strong second half to defeat Western Carolina 61-51 in a Southern Conference women’s basketball game Saturday at Hawkins Arena.

The Bears, led by Nahawa Diarra of Barcelona, Spain, outscored the Catamounts 37-26 after halftime, including a 21-point fourth quarter, to secure the home victory. Western Carolina kept pace through three quarters but could not match Mercer’s closing push.

Mercer improved to 14-9 overall. Western Carolina fell to 3-20. Attendance was 425.