Thursday, January 18
Macon, Ga.
7 P.M.
Mercer University
17-2, 4-0
80
vs
57
UNCG
8-12, 2-3
1
2
3
4
F
UNCG
22
8
16
11
57
Mercer
18
12
24
26
80
Team Stats
UNCG
MER
FG%
.391
.465
3FG%
.500
.231
FT%
.667
.846
RB
30
39
TO
21
7
STL
3
12
Game Leaders
Pts
23
FGM
10
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballC
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballPhoto by: Judy Stapleton
Bears Slay Spartans in SoCon Home Opener
1/18/2018 10:44:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kahlia Lawrence eclipses 2,000-point plateau in victory
MACON, Ga. – Mercer ran its winning streak to 14 consecutive games after defeating UNCG by the final score of 80-57 in the Bears' Southern Conference home opener. Kahlia Lawrence tallied 23 points, joining just three other Bears in the 2,000-point club.
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Stat of the Game
Mercer was able to distribute the ball efficiently tonight, recording 21 assists in the contest. The Bears were led by senior guard Sydni Means with 11 assists and zero turnovers. Mercer also forced 21 Spartan turnovers on the defensive end, outscoring UNCG 23-7 in points off turnovers.
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Player of the Game
Kahlia Lawrence captured player of the game honors after finishing 10-of-15 for a game-high 23 points. Lawrence was sidelined early in the first quarter after picking up two quick fouls, holding the senior guard scoreless in the first half. Lawrence broke free in the second half, scoring all 23 points in the final 20 minutes, while also becoming the fourth player in Mercer history to score over 2,000 career points.
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How It Happened
The Bears got off to an inauspicious start in their first home game in nearly one month, trailing UNCG 11-0 after the first 2:29 of play. Mercer slowly chipped away at the lead using balanced scoring led by four points from Rachel Selph and Kayla Potts. The Bears continued to claw into the Spartan lead, trimming the deficit to just four points by the conclusion of the first quarter.
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Mercer carried its momentum into the second quarter, holding UNCG to just eight points in the frame. The Bears successfully outscored the Spartans 12-8 in the second quarter, led by four points from Linnea Rosendal.
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The second half proved to be all Mercer as the Bears outscored the Spartans 50-27 in the final 20 minutes of action. The two squads traded baskets for much of the third quarter as UNCG clung to a 46-42 advantage with 4:17 left in the third stanza. Lawrence rose to the challenge in the final minutes of the third quarter, netting 10 points and guiding Mercer on a 12-0 run to take the 54-46 advantage into the final frame.
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A layup by Lawrence just 30 seconds into the final quarter provided Mercer with a double-digit advantage. The Spartans were unable to cut the deficit into single digits as the Bears outscored their opponents, 26-11, stretching their lead to a game-high 25 points. Rosendal and Lawrence combined for 15 points in the final quarter, while Ally Welch provided a spark with four points.
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Notables
» Mercer improves to 9-0 all-time against UNCG, including 8-0 under the direction of Head Coach Susie Gardner.
» Lawrence joined former Mercer greats: Andrea Congreaves (2,796), Vivian Humphrey (2,284) and Emma Mumphrey (2,098) as the only 2,000-point scorers in program history.
» The Bears improve to 17-2, winning their 14th consecutive game to set the program record for most wins in the NCAA Division I era.
» Mercer has now won 12 consecutive games by double-digits, dating back to a 15-point win over Davidson on Dec. 3.
» Mercer outrebounded the Spartans, 39-30. UNCG led the SoCon in rebounding margin (+5.4) heading into tonight's game.
» Sydni Means finished the game with 11 assists and zero turnovers, adding seven points to the mix.
» Mercer's bench tallied a season-best 33 points, led by Rosendal's 13 points.
» Head Coach Susie Gardner collected win number 131 at Mercer and is just three wins shy of becoming the all-time winningest coach in program history.
» Mercer is now 7-1 in contests played inside Hawkins Arena.
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Coach's Corner
General thoughts on game
"Obviously it wasn't the start we anticipated. However, I am really proud of our bench for having 33 points. Thought Kayla gave us an amazing spark, Ally did some good things for us and Linnea hit big shots this game. This was probably our best overall team effort."
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On the offensive spark in the second half
"Kahlia has the ability to turn on the switch every game. I had a strong feeling that she [Kahlia] was going to have a good second half. We started running plays for Kahlia, but we also did a great job in transition because of our defense being able to get stops."
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On the play from Sydni
"I am kind of out of words to describe Sydni. Recording 11 assists and zero turnovers against a pressing team, she just makes my job and the team's job much easier. You win with great point guards and she is a really special player to have."
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Records Update
» Mercer: 17-2 (4-0 SoCon)
» UNCG: 8-12 (2-3 SoCon)
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Next Game
» Mercer: vs. Western Carolina on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 2 p.m. at Hawkins Arena in Macon, Ga.
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Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Women's Basketball, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerWBB (Twitter), /MercerWBB (Facebook) and @MercerWBB (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
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Stat of the Game
Mercer was able to distribute the ball efficiently tonight, recording 21 assists in the contest. The Bears were led by senior guard Sydni Means with 11 assists and zero turnovers. Mercer also forced 21 Spartan turnovers on the defensive end, outscoring UNCG 23-7 in points off turnovers.
Â
Player of the Game
Kahlia Lawrence captured player of the game honors after finishing 10-of-15 for a game-high 23 points. Lawrence was sidelined early in the first quarter after picking up two quick fouls, holding the senior guard scoreless in the first half. Lawrence broke free in the second half, scoring all 23 points in the final 20 minutes, while also becoming the fourth player in Mercer history to score over 2,000 career points.
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How It Happened
The Bears got off to an inauspicious start in their first home game in nearly one month, trailing UNCG 11-0 after the first 2:29 of play. Mercer slowly chipped away at the lead using balanced scoring led by four points from Rachel Selph and Kayla Potts. The Bears continued to claw into the Spartan lead, trimming the deficit to just four points by the conclusion of the first quarter.
Â
Mercer carried its momentum into the second quarter, holding UNCG to just eight points in the frame. The Bears successfully outscored the Spartans 12-8 in the second quarter, led by four points from Linnea Rosendal.
Â
The second half proved to be all Mercer as the Bears outscored the Spartans 50-27 in the final 20 minutes of action. The two squads traded baskets for much of the third quarter as UNCG clung to a 46-42 advantage with 4:17 left in the third stanza. Lawrence rose to the challenge in the final minutes of the third quarter, netting 10 points and guiding Mercer on a 12-0 run to take the 54-46 advantage into the final frame.
Â
A layup by Lawrence just 30 seconds into the final quarter provided Mercer with a double-digit advantage. The Spartans were unable to cut the deficit into single digits as the Bears outscored their opponents, 26-11, stretching their lead to a game-high 25 points. Rosendal and Lawrence combined for 15 points in the final quarter, while Ally Welch provided a spark with four points.
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Notables
» Mercer improves to 9-0 all-time against UNCG, including 8-0 under the direction of Head Coach Susie Gardner.
» Lawrence joined former Mercer greats: Andrea Congreaves (2,796), Vivian Humphrey (2,284) and Emma Mumphrey (2,098) as the only 2,000-point scorers in program history.
» The Bears improve to 17-2, winning their 14th consecutive game to set the program record for most wins in the NCAA Division I era.
» Mercer has now won 12 consecutive games by double-digits, dating back to a 15-point win over Davidson on Dec. 3.
» Mercer outrebounded the Spartans, 39-30. UNCG led the SoCon in rebounding margin (+5.4) heading into tonight's game.
» Sydni Means finished the game with 11 assists and zero turnovers, adding seven points to the mix.
» Mercer's bench tallied a season-best 33 points, led by Rosendal's 13 points.
» Head Coach Susie Gardner collected win number 131 at Mercer and is just three wins shy of becoming the all-time winningest coach in program history.
» Mercer is now 7-1 in contests played inside Hawkins Arena.
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Coach's Corner
General thoughts on game
"Obviously it wasn't the start we anticipated. However, I am really proud of our bench for having 33 points. Thought Kayla gave us an amazing spark, Ally did some good things for us and Linnea hit big shots this game. This was probably our best overall team effort."
Â
On the offensive spark in the second half
"Kahlia has the ability to turn on the switch every game. I had a strong feeling that she [Kahlia] was going to have a good second half. We started running plays for Kahlia, but we also did a great job in transition because of our defense being able to get stops."
Â
On the play from Sydni
"I am kind of out of words to describe Sydni. Recording 11 assists and zero turnovers against a pressing team, she just makes my job and the team's job much easier. You win with great point guards and she is a really special player to have."
Â
Records Update
» Mercer: 17-2 (4-0 SoCon)
» UNCG: 8-12 (2-3 SoCon)
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Next Game
» Mercer: vs. Western Carolina on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 2 p.m. at Hawkins Arena in Macon, Ga.
Â
Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Women's Basketball, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerWBB (Twitter), /MercerWBB (Facebook) and @MercerWBB (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
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