MACON, Ga. — Mercer was able to overcome a relentless comeback by the Bellarmine University lacrosse team while posting an 18-17 win over the Knights on Saturday in Atlantic Sun Conference play at Five Star Stadium.

Bellarmine (4-10, 0-3 ASUN) trailed 5-1 in the first quarter and 9-4 in the second, but the Knights made up a huge chunk of ground on Mercer (6-5, 2-1) over the latter half of the second period with some of their best play of late, when they piled up six goals in a little over eight minutes to only trail 11-10 at halftime.

Mercer regained the momentum after netting three of the first four goals of the second half, but Bellarmine once again rallied and eventually knotted the match at 15 with roughly 12 minutes left in the final quarter. The teams then traded goals, but the Bears located the net twice in about a minute span to take an 18-16 advantage with 6:27 left.

Sophomore attack Ezra Moore, who finished one point shy of tying the single-game program record after racking up a career-best eight, matched his career high with his fourth goal while slicing the deficit in half with 2:53 remaining. The Knights followed by attempting four game-tying shots, including a final chance with less than five seconds left, but Mercer kept them out of the net.

Despite a valiant comeback, it was ultimately another heartbreaking result for Bellarmine, which suffered its second straight one-goal loss in league play.

Several Knights reached individual milestones. Moore set a new single-season program record for assists after his recording his 40th of the year on his fourth helper of the afternoon. It was the seventh time this season he's notched at least three assists and, in addition, he registered his fifth hat trick.

On his second point of the contest, senior attack John Alie, who finished with three goals and an assist, became the second player in program history to accumulate 200 career points (Kyle Playsted, 222). It was his ninth hat trick of the year and his 42 goals and 65 points both rank third all-time in a single season.

On the seventh of his season-high-tying 19 saves, sophomore goalkeeper Nolan Hudnut became the third player in program history to accumulate 400 career saves (JC Higginbotham, 666; Dillon Ward, 576). Hudnut broke 15 saves for the ninth time this season.

As far as scoring balance, Bellarmine couldn't have asked for much more, as nine Knights found the net. In addition to Moore and Alie, senior midfielder Ryan Curry, sophomore attack Joe Alie and sophomore midfielder Ty Washington netted two goals apiece while senior defender Nick Ferge, junior midfielder Luke Healy, freshman midfielder Landon Clark and sophomore defender Isaac Miller accounted for one each.

Three Bears secured hat tricks in Dillon Bush (five goals), Will Zylstra (four) and Michael Frederick (three).

Bellarmine will host Jacksonville at noon (ET) Saturday.
 
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