MACON, Ga. – Kahlia Lawrence led Mercer with 22 points as the Mercer University women’s basketball team suffered its first loss of the season, a 68-60 decision, at the hands of Saint Louis on Sunday afternoon.

Mercer sprinted to a 7-2 lead halfway through the first period, leading for a majority of the 10 minutes before Saint Louis tied it up, 12-12, before the end of the quarter. The Billikins continued their 8-0 run to take a 15-12 lead early in the second quarter. Neither team led by more than three points in the second quarter, but the Bears took a 24-21 lead at the half.

After some back and forth to open the second half, Mercer closed out the third period with a 7-2 run, taking a 41-36 lead. The Bears and the Billikins continued to battle for control, until Saint Louis embarked on a 10-1 run that lasted 4:15 and put SLU up 48-55. Mercer came within four points four times in the final 1:14 of the game, but were unable to gain any momentum as Saint Louis connected on 11-of-12 free throws in the final 50 seconds, lifting the Billikins to a 68-60 win.

Saint Louis outrebounded Mercer 40-28, but the Bears outscored the Billikins in second-chance points, 4-2.

Mercer moves to 3-1 on the season, while Saint Louis improves to 3-0.

The Bears will take on Charlotte and Howard on Nov. 28 and 29, respectively, as part of the Georgia State Women’s Basketball Thanksgiving Classic in Atlanta, Ga.