ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop lacrosse team turned in a strong second half Saturday afternoon as the Eagles downed the Mercer Bears 14-12 at Eagle Field in its final non-conference contest of the season. HOW IT HAPPENED Winthrop (3-8) raced out to a 2-0 lead in the opening 1:39 of the contest. Mercer (3-6) responded with two goals in 12 seconds to tie the game with 23:37 on the clock. The Eagles came back with another two goals to regain the lead. The Bears dominated the final 16 minutes, closing the half on a 6-1 run to take an 8-5 lead into halftime. The two sides traded goals in the first five minutes of the second half as the Bears maintained a three-goal edge. Winthrop scored back-to-back goals to get within one with 18:34 on the clock. After Mercer went back up by two, the Eagles again scored two straight to tie the game at 10-10 with 13:14 remaining. Mercer regained a one-goal lead with 11:45 on the clock before Winthrop went on a big run. Lauren Asher tied the game for the Eagles before Savannah Paton gave Winthrop its first lead since midway through the first half. Mia Creighton and McKenna Blick added two insurance goals for the Eagles as Winthrop took home the 14-12 victory. INSIDE THE BOX SCORE McKenna Blick led the Eagles with four goals while Lauren Morris and Mia Creighton each added three. Morris finished with seven points as she also added four assists. Lauren Asher led the team with five draw controls. Alaina Girani finished with 12 saves in the victory. Mercer outshot the Eagles 36-27 with the Bears placing 24 shots on goal to Winthrop's 19. The Bears edged the Eagles on the draw circle 16-12. Winthrop was 17-for-18 on clearing attempts. WHAT'S UP NEXT Winthrop will be off for the next 10 days before entering Big South play. The Eagles open on the road at Campbell on Wednesday, April 3.