Saturday, February 10
Macon, Ga.
2 P.M.
Mercer University
23-2, 10-0
48
vs
45
Samford
12-13, 4-6
1
2
3
4
F
Samford
11
11
10
13
45
Mercer
18
10
9
11
48
Team Stats
SAM
MER
FG%
.380
.310
3FG%
.125
.333
FT%
.714
.643
RB
38
36
TO
19
9
STL
4
6
Game Leaders
Pts
18
FGM
7
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
8
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
7
FGM
1
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballC
/ Women's BasketballBears Hold on to Run Streak to 20 Consecutive Wins
2/10/2018 6:42:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MACON, Ga. – Mercer Women's Basketball was pushed to the limit in its most recent game, defeating Samford by the final score of 48-45. The Bears improve to 23-2, including 10-0 in conference action, while running their winning streak to 20 consecutive games. The Bulldogs fall to 12-13 on the campaign, including 4-6 in SoCon action.
Stat of the Game
The Bears' defense proved stifling for the Samford offense, forcing 19 turnovers throughout the duration of the contest.
Player of the Game
Rachel Selph proved to be the player of the game for the Bears, finishing the outing with 12 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Selph scored her 12 points on 5-of-7 from the field and a perfect 2-for-2 from the charity stripe.
How It Happened
Mercer and Samford played a tightly contested first half in the first seven minutes as the SoCon foes were tied at nine apiece. The Bears ended the first quarter on a 9-2 run for the 18-11 advantage, led by four points from Selph and a triple from KeKe Calloway.
Mercer extended its lead in the second quarter to as much as 11 following a fast-break layup by Calloway for the 22-11 advantage. The Bears maintained a double-digit advantage for much of the second quarter until the Bulldogs scored the final four points of the frame to trim the Mercer lead to just six.
The Bears were outscored in the third quarter 10-9 as the Orange & Black hung on for the five-point advantage. Samford trimmed the Mercer lead to just one before the Bears ended the quarter on a 4-0 run in the final 1:34 of the frame.
Mercer yielded the fourth and final quarter 13-11 to the Bulldogs despite stretching its advantage back to a comfortable seven points. Samford would not go away quietly in the final quarter, trimming the Mercer advantage to just one with six seconds left following a layup by Hannah Nichols. Senior guard, Sydni Means, stepped up big in the final seconds after knocking down back-to-back free throws to reclaim the three-point lead. The Bulldogs nearly sent the contest into overtime as Raven Omar's three at the buzzer banged off the back iron to seal the Mercer victory.
Notables
» The Bears improve to 16-5 all-time against the Bulldogs, including 8-2 at home.
» The Bears improve to 23-2, winning their 20th consecutive game to set the program record for most wins in the NCAA Division I era.
» Mercer's three-point win ended the Bears' string of 17 consecutive double-digit wins dating back to Dec. 3.
» Sydni Means ended the game with six assists to run her total to 204 for the year, marking the second consecutive season that Means has accumulated at least 200 assists.
Coach's Corner
Opening Statement
"We have to give Samford credit, they came in hungry today and were ready to play us. Rachel [Selph] and KeKe [Calloway] shot the ball well and we were able to find a way to win."
Finishing in pressure situations
"It's been awhile since we have been in a close game like this and perhaps it was time we were put in the pressure situation to see how we respond. It was important to have Sydni step up and hit pressure free throws and she handled the situation really well."
Records Update
» Mercer: 23-2 (10-0 SoCon)
» Samford: 12-13 (4-6 SoCon)
Next Game
» Mercer: at Western Carolina on Thursday, Feb. 15 at 5 p.m. at Ramsey Center in Cullowhee, N.C.
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
The Bears' defense proved stifling for the Samford offense, forcing 19 turnovers throughout the duration of the contest.
Player of the Game
Rachel Selph proved to be the player of the game for the Bears, finishing the outing with 12 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Selph scored her 12 points on 5-of-7 from the field and a perfect 2-for-2 from the charity stripe.
How It Happened
Mercer and Samford played a tightly contested first half in the first seven minutes as the SoCon foes were tied at nine apiece. The Bears ended the first quarter on a 9-2 run for the 18-11 advantage, led by four points from Selph and a triple from KeKe Calloway.
Mercer extended its lead in the second quarter to as much as 11 following a fast-break layup by Calloway for the 22-11 advantage. The Bears maintained a double-digit advantage for much of the second quarter until the Bulldogs scored the final four points of the frame to trim the Mercer lead to just six.
The Bears were outscored in the third quarter 10-9 as the Orange & Black hung on for the five-point advantage. Samford trimmed the Mercer lead to just one before the Bears ended the quarter on a 4-0 run in the final 1:34 of the frame.
Mercer yielded the fourth and final quarter 13-11 to the Bulldogs despite stretching its advantage back to a comfortable seven points. Samford would not go away quietly in the final quarter, trimming the Mercer advantage to just one with six seconds left following a layup by Hannah Nichols. Senior guard, Sydni Means, stepped up big in the final seconds after knocking down back-to-back free throws to reclaim the three-point lead. The Bulldogs nearly sent the contest into overtime as Raven Omar's three at the buzzer banged off the back iron to seal the Mercer victory.
Notables
» The Bears improve to 16-5 all-time against the Bulldogs, including 8-2 at home.
» The Bears improve to 23-2, winning their 20th consecutive game to set the program record for most wins in the NCAA Division I era.
» Mercer's three-point win ended the Bears' string of 17 consecutive double-digit wins dating back to Dec. 3.
» Sydni Means ended the game with six assists to run her total to 204 for the year, marking the second consecutive season that Means has accumulated at least 200 assists.
Coach's Corner
Opening Statement
"We have to give Samford credit, they came in hungry today and were ready to play us. Rachel [Selph] and KeKe [Calloway] shot the ball well and we were able to find a way to win."
Finishing in pressure situations
"It's been awhile since we have been in a close game like this and perhaps it was time we were put in the pressure situation to see how we respond. It was important to have Sydni step up and hit pressure free throws and she handled the situation really well."
Records Update
» Mercer: 23-2 (10-0 SoCon)
» Samford: 12-13 (4-6 SoCon)
Next Game
» Mercer: at Western Carolina on Thursday, Feb. 15 at 5 p.m. at Ramsey Center in Cullowhee, N.C.
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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