PLNU Athletics

Perhaps the most well-rounded student-athlete in the history of the Point Loma women’s basketball program. Jessica Mercado blended together the perfect balance of scoring, rebounding and defensive tenacity in leading the Sea Lions to four of its most successful seasons in school history (2001-05).

Mercado was a two-time NAIA All-American. She led PLNU to a 95-43 record (.688%) and into the NAIA National Tournament in three of her four seasons. The Sea Lions collected six wins in the NAIA tournament with Mercado, including placing third her senior season, which is the best finish in school history. The team also won at least 23 games three times with her, including a school-record 33 wins in 2004-05. Those six wins at the NAIA National Tournament were the first for Point Loma in history. Mercado would add an NAIA all-tournament selection and multiple All-GSAC honors to her list of accolades before her storied career at PLNU was over.

During those four seasons Mercado was a force on both ends of the floor. She finished her career third all-time in scoring with 1,919 points. She scored 659 points her junior season to post the fifth-best single-season total in school history. Mercado’s career-high of 37 points against Judson is the sixth-best single-game mark for the Sea Lions. Mercado also knocked down 168 treys in her career to rank fourth all-time. She also ranks ninth at PLNU with 300 career assists and 10th with a .712 career free throw%.

Despite her outstanding numbers on offense, Mercado will always be remembered for her defensive prowess. She had 525 steals in her career to take over the top spot in the record books by 248 steals. She also ranks first with 11 steals in a game, and owns the top three spots in the record books for steals in a season, including the top mark of 178. She also had 102 blocks and 732 rebounds in her career to rank sixth and eighth, respectively.

Mercado went on to play professionally in Dominican Republic for five seasons, two more in Puerto Rico and competed as a member of the DR national team at the 2005 FIBA Americas Champion. Mercado graduated from PLNU in 2005 with a degree in Media Communications. She returned to PLNU last year to earn her Master’s in Education for School Counseling & Guidance. Mercado is now working at PLNU as the Assistant Director in the Offices of Strengths & Vocation.