Bears to Host Furman in Front Leg of Thursday Doubleheader

Thursday, February 1

Macon, Ga.

5 P.M.

Mercer University

Furman

Buy Tickets

Bears to Host Furman in Front Leg of Thursday Doubleheader

1/31/2018 2:22:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Live Stats Watch Listen Tickets Game Notes

By: David Fox

MACON, Ga. – Mercer Women's Basketball will aim to continue its winning ways, this time in front of the Mercer faithful tomorrow at 5 p.m. against the Furman Paladins. Thursday's tilt will kick off a string of three consecutive home games, including two consecutive doubleheaders with the Mercer Men's Basketball squad.

BEAR NECESSITIES
Date: Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018 | 5 p.m.
Teams: Mercer (20-2, 7-0) vs. Furman (13-9, 3-4)
Location: Macon, Ga. | Hawkins Arena
TV: ESPN3
TV Talent: Todd Wilson, Sybil Blalock and Kristin Banks
Radio: Fox Sports 1670, iHeartRadio and Sports Mic
Radio Talent: Rick Cameron
Live Stats: mercerbears.com/livestats
Twitter Updates: @MercerWBB
Game Notes: Mercer | Furman

Twenty Times Four
Mercer eclipsed 20 wins for the fourth consecutive season following its 21-point victory over Chattanooga on Saturday. This is the first time in program history that Mercer has claimed four consecutive 20-win seasons. The Bears have now secured 20 wins in five of the last six seasons under Coach Gardner. Mercer has collected a total of 13 20-win seasons in program history.

Welcome Home
Mercer enters the week with an 8-1 record in contests played inside Hawkins Arena. The Bears fell to Georgia in just their second home game (72- 54) and have since then won seven consecutive games in front of the Mercer faithful. In Mercer's most recent home game, the Bears defeated Western Carolina on Jan. 20 by the final score of 72-50. Mercer is 18-5 in SoCon home games since joining the league in 2014.

A Perfect Month
The Bears ran through both December and January unscathed, recording 8-0 and 7-0 records. December featured marquee road wins over UNC Asheville, North Carolina and Charlotte. January's slate included seven consecutive conference games, six of which resulted in 20-point Mercer victories.

Last Time Out
Mercer recorded history in its last game as Coach Gardner earned win No. 134 at Mercer and KeKe Calloway netted a program single-season record 78th three pointer. The Bears also snapped Chattanooga's 53-game home SoCon win streak. Mercer jumped out to a 23-5 advantage through the first quarter, before allowing the Mocs to cut the lead into single digits by halftime, 33-24. The Bears quickly reclaimed the double-digit lead and did not look back, building their advantage to a game-high 22 points in the third quarter. Mercer put the Mocs away in the fourth quarter en route to its 17th consecutive victory.

Both Calloway and Kahlia Lawrence finished the game with 17 points, while Rachel Selph tallied 12 points and six boards. Sydni Means finished one rebound shy of a double-double with 11 points, nine rebounds and five assists.

Series History
Mercer is now 12-4 all-time against the Paladins after defeating Furman 86-64 in Greenville, S.C. on Jan. 6. Calloway lifted the Bears to the victory, registering 40 points, while knocking down an NCAA record 12 three pointers. Means finished the game with six points and 15 assists during the contest. Mercer has won seven consecutive games against the Paladins and is 4-2 all-time at home against Furman.

Finishing Furman
The Paladins enter Thursday's tilt following a 79-48 loss to Wofford in Spartanburg, S.C. The Paladins were held to just 18 first-half points, yielding 46 to the host Terriers. For the game, Furman finished 34.5 percent from the field, while Wofford ended the game at 51.6 percent. The Paladins have dropped three of their last five games, including a double-overtime loss at UNCG (76-74).

Cierra Carter continues to lead the Paladins with 16.2 points per game, while pulling down 6.9 rebounds per outing. Le'Jzae Davidson is second on the team in points (13.5), while Celena Taborn ranks third in points (12.3) and third in rebounds (6.0).

The Paladins are averaging 68.0 points per game, surrendering 65.0 to opponents. Furman is currently the top rebounding team in the conference at 40 rebounds per game, while allowing the second fewest rebounds at 34.8 per contest.

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.