Macon, Ga. – Kyra LaMotte tied her career-highs of six points and six goals on Sunday afternoon as the Furman women's lacrosse team won its fifth consecutive game following an 18-12 victory in SoCon play over the Mercer Bears at Five Star Stadium.

Furman, who has now won five games in a row for the first time since April 14-May 2, 2019, improves to 8-3 overall and 2-0 in the SoCon. Mercer falls to 4-5 on the season and 2-1 in conference play.

LaMotte led all players with a game-high six points on six goals, also matching her career-highs. Meagan Beal, Hannah Dintino and Avery McIlwaine each collected hat tricks with three goals, while Beal dished out one assist. McIlwaine set a new career-high in the contest for goals scored. Hannah Demis provided five points on three assists and two goals, and Sydney McClure added three points on two assists and a goal. Lindsey Kelly contributed two assists. Avery Whitehead matched her season-high of six draws and Regan Lingo caused two turnovers.

In goal, Meghan Deehan recorded her fifth straight win recording five saves and led the team with three ground balls.

Lily Morin had a team-high five points on four goals and an assist for the Bears, to go with seven draws and three caused turnovers. Chloe Schaeffer contributed four points on three goals and one assist. Erin Degnan also won seven draws to match Morin. In goal, Iseabal Cryne registered nine saves and a team-leading three ground balls.

The Paladins built an 8-5 halftime advantage, highlighted by three LaMotte goals over the final 11 minutes, before Mercer opened the second half on a 4-0 run to take a 9-8 lead. Morin and Schaeffer scored within 25 seconds of each other to put the Bears ahead by one with 26:08 left in the contest.

Furman responded with a 7-0 run over the next 14 minutes to break the game open, going in front 15-9 at the 12:24 mark. McIlwaine and Dintino scored twice during the run while LaMotte, Beal and Demis provided one goal apiece. After Mercer scored with 11:15 to go, the Paladins collected the next three goals, including two by LaMotte, to hold an 18-10 lead with 6:16 remaining. Beal's third, and final, goal of the game gave Furman the eight-goal lead.

Morin and Schaeffer recorded the final two goals of the game for the Bears, putting the final score at 18-12.

The Paladins concluded the game holding a 35-34 advantage in shots and 14-12 in ground balls. Furman was 8-for-13 on free position attempts and tied its season-low of eight turnovers.

The Paladins return to Paladin Stadium next weekend, April 16-18, for their final two home games of the season against 10^th-ranked Jacksonville and Stetson.