Macon, Ga. – Mercer's Chloe Schaeffer scored a game high four goals to lead the Bears to an 18-13 victory over the Furman women's lacrosse team in Big South play, Saturday afternoon at Five Star Stadium.

Mercer improves to 12-2 overall and 6-0 in the Big South. With the loss, Furman drops to 7-6 on the season and 4-2 in conference play.

The Paladins trailed 10-4 with just over five minutes remaining in the second quarter before ending the half scoring three of the last four goals from Paige Harman, Meagan Beal, and Hannah Dintino. Dintino's goal with 38 seconds remaining before intermission cut Furman's deficit down to 11-7. Anna Roser followed less than 30 seconds into the second half with her third goal of the contest to make the score 11-8.

The Bears responded with a 6-2 run of its own over the next 25 minutes of action to extend their lead to 16-11 with 5:56 to go in the fourth quarter. The Paladins would then score back-to-back goals in less than two minutes from Harman and Sophie Shaw. Harman's second goal of the game with 4:28 left in regulation put the score at 16-13. Mercer closed out the game with two goals from Kayla Soltys to secure the 18-13 win.

The Bears opened the contest on a 4-1 run before Furman picked up a pair of goals from Roser as it trailed 4-3 with 3:42 remaining in the first quarter. Mercer then compiled a 6-1 run to lead 10-4 in the second period.

Offensively, three Paladins recorded four points in Beal, Harman, and Sophia Buzelis. Beal and Roser both collected hat tricks while Buzelis and Harman dished out two assists each. Roser won a career high five draws and Katelyn Sousa tied her season high of three caused turnovers. In goal, Lily Rathbun registered 11 saves and tied Grace Gibson with four ground balls.

Schaeffer logged a game high five points on four goals and one assist while Shannon Urey and Gabby DiVirgilio both had hat tricks. In goal, Kate Vanderlinde totaled seven saves and two ground balls.

Furman, who forced the Bears into 19 turnovers, finished the game with 17 ground balls and 15 draws.

The Paladins conclude the non-conference portion of their schedule on Monday, April 17 traveling to Blacksburg, Va. for a 2 p.m. opening draw against Virginia Tech.

Fans can follow the action on www.furmanpaladins.com via live stats. The game is being streamed via paid subscription on ACC Network Extra. Updates will be posted on the Furman women's lacrosse Twitter page (@FUWlax).