Thursday, February 1
Macon, Ga.
5 P.M.
Mercer University
65
vs
53
Furman
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
C
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
Photo by: Judy Stapleton
Bears Remain Undefeated in SoCon Action
2/1/2018 8:19:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Mercer rolls to 18th consecutive victory following 65-53 triumph over Furman
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer women's basketball pushed its win streak to 18 consecutive games with a 65-53 win over Furman in front of a raucous crowd in Hawkins Arena on Thursday evening. With the win, Mercer improved to 21-2 (8-0 SoCon), while the Paladins fall to 13-10 (3-5 SoCon).
Stat of the Game
Mercer connected on a season-high 21 free throws, finishing 21-for-22 from the charity stripe. The Bears' efficiency from the line lifted Mercer to the 12-point victory as Mercer finished 15-of-16 in the second half.
Player of the Game
Kahlia Lawrence notched a game-high 21 points in the victory, capturing player of the game honors. Lawrence finished 6-of-17 from the field and 9-for-10 from the line to help guide the Bears to the win.
How It Happened
The Bears controlled the opening quarter, outscoring Furman 18-8, while also forcing six Paladin turnovers. Mercer outrebounded Furman 7-6 in the opening 10 minutes. Sydni Means, Rachel Selph and Amanda Thompson netted four points apiece in the opening quarter, while Furman's Celena Taborn accounted for all eight of the Paladins' points.
The Paladins scored 10 of the first 15 points in the second quarter to trim Mercer's lead to just 23-18. However, the Bears responded with an 11-0 run to end the half with a 34-18 advantage. Mercer held Furman scoreless in the final 5:24 of the first half, forcing six turnovers in the process.
Both teams struggled to take the lid off the cylinder in the second half, scoring a combined six points in the first five minutes. The Paladins ended the third frame on a 12-7 run, outscoring Mercer 16-9 in the third quarter to cut the Bears' lead to just nine points.
Mercer was able to fend off the Paladins, outscoring Furman 22-19 in the final quarter to walk away with the 12-point triumph. The Bears held the Paladins at bay, never allowing the visiting squad to trim their lead to less than seven points. Mercer connected on all 12 of its free throw attempts in the closing quarter.
Notables
» The Bears improve to 13-4 all-time against the Paladins, including 5-2 at home.
» Sydni Means finished the game with seven assists, passing Rhonda Griffin for the second-most assists in program history with 615.
» The Bears improve to 21-2, winning their 18th consecutive game to set the program record for most wins in the NCAA Division I era.
» Mercer has now won 16 consecutive games by double-digits, dating back to a 15-point win over Davidson on Dec. 3.
» Mercer forced 22 turnovers, marking the 11th time this season forcing 20-or-more blunders from opposing offenses.
» KeKe Calloway finished with 12 points, while Means added eight points, seven assists and four rebounds.
» The Bears swiped 15 steals in the win, led by Means' seven steals which tied a career high.
» Mercer received a big lift from the defense which allowed the Bears to win the points-off-turnover battle, 24-7.
Coach's Corner
Opening Statement
"Furman is a good team and we knew that it was going to be a battle. Furman's post play was great and they hurt us inside, getting Rachel into foul trouble. However, I thought that Amanda did a great job playing in the post. It was a total team effort on defense and we were able to hit our free throws down the stretch."
Importance of forcing turnovers
"When you are not shooting the basketball well, you have to be in control of your defense. I really thought that Sydni set the tone at the point guard position, pressuring their guards. I also thought that KeKe did a great job defending Davidson. We knew Carter was their go-to player on the perimeter so we felt we needed to pressure to help Amanda out inside."
Records Update
» Mercer: 21-2 (8-0 SoCon)
» Furman: 13-10 (3-5 SoCon)
Next Game
» Mercer: vs. Wofford on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 2 p.m. at Hawkins Arena in Macon, Ga.
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.
Stat of the Game
Mercer connected on a season-high 21 free throws, finishing 21-for-22 from the charity stripe. The Bears' efficiency from the line lifted Mercer to the 12-point victory as Mercer finished 15-of-16 in the second half.
Player of the Game
Kahlia Lawrence notched a game-high 21 points in the victory, capturing player of the game honors. Lawrence finished 6-of-17 from the field and 9-for-10 from the line to help guide the Bears to the win.
How It Happened
The Bears controlled the opening quarter, outscoring Furman 18-8, while also forcing six Paladin turnovers. Mercer outrebounded Furman 7-6 in the opening 10 minutes. Sydni Means, Rachel Selph and Amanda Thompson netted four points apiece in the opening quarter, while Furman's Celena Taborn accounted for all eight of the Paladins' points.
The Paladins scored 10 of the first 15 points in the second quarter to trim Mercer's lead to just 23-18. However, the Bears responded with an 11-0 run to end the half with a 34-18 advantage. Mercer held Furman scoreless in the final 5:24 of the first half, forcing six turnovers in the process.
Both teams struggled to take the lid off the cylinder in the second half, scoring a combined six points in the first five minutes. The Paladins ended the third frame on a 12-7 run, outscoring Mercer 16-9 in the third quarter to cut the Bears' lead to just nine points.
Mercer was able to fend off the Paladins, outscoring Furman 22-19 in the final quarter to walk away with the 12-point triumph. The Bears held the Paladins at bay, never allowing the visiting squad to trim their lead to less than seven points. Mercer connected on all 12 of its free throw attempts in the closing quarter.
Notables
» The Bears improve to 13-4 all-time against the Paladins, including 5-2 at home.
» Sydni Means finished the game with seven assists, passing Rhonda Griffin for the second-most assists in program history with 615.
» The Bears improve to 21-2, winning their 18th consecutive game to set the program record for most wins in the NCAA Division I era.
» Mercer has now won 16 consecutive games by double-digits, dating back to a 15-point win over Davidson on Dec. 3.
» Mercer forced 22 turnovers, marking the 11th time this season forcing 20-or-more blunders from opposing offenses.
» KeKe Calloway finished with 12 points, while Means added eight points, seven assists and four rebounds.
» The Bears swiped 15 steals in the win, led by Means' seven steals which tied a career high.
» Mercer received a big lift from the defense which allowed the Bears to win the points-off-turnover battle, 24-7.
Coach's Corner
Opening Statement
"Furman is a good team and we knew that it was going to be a battle. Furman's post play was great and they hurt us inside, getting Rachel into foul trouble. However, I thought that Amanda did a great job playing in the post. It was a total team effort on defense and we were able to hit our free throws down the stretch."
Importance of forcing turnovers
"When you are not shooting the basketball well, you have to be in control of your defense. I really thought that Sydni set the tone at the point guard position, pressuring their guards. I also thought that KeKe did a great job defending Davidson. We knew Carter was their go-to player on the perimeter so we felt we needed to pressure to help Amanda out inside."
Records Update
» Mercer: 21-2 (8-0 SoCon)
» Furman: 13-10 (3-5 SoCon)
Next Game
» Mercer: vs. Wofford on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 2 p.m. at Hawkins Arena in Macon, Ga.
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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