Local sports results are presented by MercyOne Genesis Physical Therapy.
Sherrard withstood a late Mercer County rally to complete a regular-season sweep of the Golden Eagles with a 49-46 win at Harry Hunt Gymnasium on Monday.
The Tigers (18-9, 8-2 TRAC West) opened the game on an 8-0 run and never trailed in the contest. Sherrard held a 15-10 lead at the end of the first quarter and extended its advantage to 26-15 at halftime.
After entering the fourth quarter facing a 39-29 deficit, Mercer County (22-7, 6-4 TRAC West) opened the period on a 9-0 run to get within a point. Eventually, Mercer County tied the game for the first time, 44-44, and again 46-46 with under 30 seconds left on a Shadia Williams lay-up after she forced a Sherrard turnover.
Williams was fouled on the lay-up, but missed the free throw that would have given the Golden Eagles their first lead of the game. Mercer County committed a foul on the rebound with Sherrard in the bonus, and Teagan Nelson sank both free throws to put the Tigers back in front for good.
Adalynn Elsbury led Sherrard with 14 points. Tegan Nelson and Maysie Hubbs each added 12 in the win.
Williams poured in a game-high 23 points to pace Mercer County, with 20 of her points coming in the second half.
Mercer County was 5-15 from the free-throw line in the loss.
Sherrard and Mercer County will play again on Monday in the semifinals of the IHSA 2A Riverdale Regional.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Sherrard 49 Mercer County 46
Rockridge 34 Rockridge 28
Riverdale 55 Orion 28
Erie-Prophetstown 51 Princeton 40
Newman 61 Hall 26
Kewanee 66 Mendota 41
Visit our TRAC webpage to stay updated with the conference throughout the season.