Saturday, February 24
Macon, Ga.
2 P.M.
Mercer University
27-2, 14-0
63
vs
48
ETSU
18-11, 11-3
1
2
3
4
F
ETSU
7
14
11
16
48
Mercer
11
15
20
17
63
Team Stats
ETSU
MER
FG%
.333
.407
3FG%
.200
.333
FT%
.636
.833
RB
35
32
TO
17
14
STL
6
9
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Pts
15
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
6
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballPhoto by: Judy Stapleton
No. 25 Bears Complete Undefeated Conference Season
2/24/2018 6:21:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Mercer bested ETSU 63-48 to improve to run winning streak to 24 games
MACON, Ga. – The 25th ranked Mercer Women's Basketball hoisted the trophy and cut down the nets as the squad ran their winning streak to a program-tying 24 consecutive wins, defeating ETSU by the final score of 63-48 on Saturday in Hawkins Arena. With the win, Mercer improves to 27-2 on the campaign, capping off a perfect 14-0 mark in Southern Conference action.
Stat of the Game
Mercer forced 17 ETSU turnovers on the game, controlling the tempo for most of the contest. The Bears turned the Bucs' 17 turnovers into 12 points on the offensive end.
Player of the Game
KeKe Calloway stepped up in a big way in the regular season finale, knocking down 15 points, pulling down six rebounds and dishing out three assists. Calloway also knocked down 4-of-5 from the charity stripe.
How It Happened
Mercer started all five seniors in today's contest, setting the tone early as Shon Kitchens connected on a fast break layup, assisted by fellow senior Kahlia Lawrence. The Bears controlled the game throughout the first quarter, building an 11-4 advantage with 1:33 left to play in the quarter. ETSU's Malloree Schurr drained a three to pull the Bucs to within four, heading into the second quarter.
ETSU would not go away quietly, eventually claiming the 18-17 lead with 3:03 left in the opening half. Mercer ended the final three minutes on a 9-3 run, sparked by five points from Calloway. Mercer ended up outscoring the Bucs, 15-14, for the 26-21 halftime lead.
Mercer kept ETSU at bay in the third quarter, outscoring the visiting squad 20-11 to all but put the game away. The Bears kept creeping towards the double-digit lead, finally claiming an 11-point advantage with 2:01 left in the quarter as Kahlia Lawrence knocked down a pair of free throws. Mercer concluded the quarter on a 12-5 run, holding tight to the 46-32 advantage.
The fourth quarter was all but over for the Bears as Mercer built its lead to 19 points and never allowed ETSU to creep to within single digits. The Bears won the final quarter 17-16, claiming all four quarters in today's contest.
Notables
» Mercer earned its 24th consecutive win, tying the program record for consecutive wins set in 1973.
» Mercer evened the all-time series with ETSU at 18 apiece, sweeping the regular-season series.
» The Bears improve to 27-2, winning their 24th consecutive game to set the program record for most wins in the NCAA Division I era.
» With the win, Mercer recorded a program-record 14th SoCon win, while also setting a new single-season record of 27 wins under the helm of Susie Gardner.
» The Mercer defense held the Bucs to their third-lowest scoring outburst of the season with 48 points.
Coach's Corner
Opening Statement
"This day could not have gone any better, starting five seniors and Shon Kitchens hits the first layup of the game. The emotion was so dynamic with our players and the crowd. This was an amazing day from opening tip, to cutting down the nights. I am very proud of the careers that these players have had."
Journey of the Senior class
"This group decided to come here when we weren't cutting down nets and thanks to them, the junior class came and bought into our vision. I think what makes this class special is the success of the team over the last four seasons."
On the mindset going forward
"I will watch film tonight and the players can enjoy the moment and then we will be back to practice tomorrow, preparing for Western Carolina. We will keep this business as normal and this team is mature in preparing for the next game."
Records Update
» Mercer: 27-2 (14-0 SoCon)
» ETSU: 18-11 (11-3 SoCon)
Next Game
Mercer will take on No. 8 seeded Western Carolina on Thursday at 11 a.m. in the opening round of the 2018 SoCon Women's Basketball Championship in Asheville, N.C. The contest will be played at the U.S. Cellular Center.
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 forced 17 ETSU turnovers on the game, controlling the tempo for most of the contest. The Bears turned the Bucs' 17 turnovers into 12 points on the offensive end.
Player of the Game
KeKe Calloway stepped up in a big way in the regular season finale, knocking down 15 points, pulling down six rebounds and dishing out three assists. Calloway also knocked down 4-of-5 from the charity stripe.
How It Happened
Mercer started all five seniors in today's contest, setting the tone early as Shon Kitchens connected on a fast break layup, assisted by fellow senior Kahlia Lawrence. The Bears controlled the game throughout the first quarter, building an 11-4 advantage with 1:33 left to play in the quarter. ETSU's Malloree Schurr drained a three to pull the Bucs to within four, heading into the second quarter.
ETSU would not go away quietly, eventually claiming the 18-17 lead with 3:03 left in the opening half. Mercer ended the final three minutes on a 9-3 run, sparked by five points from Calloway. Mercer ended up outscoring the Bucs, 15-14, for the 26-21 halftime lead.
Mercer kept ETSU at bay in the third quarter, outscoring the visiting squad 20-11 to all but put the game away. The Bears kept creeping towards the double-digit lead, finally claiming an 11-point advantage with 2:01 left in the quarter as Kahlia Lawrence knocked down a pair of free throws. Mercer concluded the quarter on a 12-5 run, holding tight to the 46-32 advantage.
The fourth quarter was all but over for the Bears as Mercer built its lead to 19 points and never allowed ETSU to creep to within single digits. The Bears won the final quarter 17-16, claiming all four quarters in today's contest.
Notables
» Mercer earned its 24th consecutive win, tying the program record for consecutive wins set in 1973.
» Mercer evened the all-time series with ETSU at 18 apiece, sweeping the regular-season series.
» The Bears improve to 27-2, winning their 24th consecutive game to set the program record for most wins in the NCAA Division I era.
» With the win, Mercer recorded a program-record 14th SoCon win, while also setting a new single-season record of 27 wins under the helm of Susie Gardner.
» The Mercer defense held the Bucs to their third-lowest scoring outburst of the season with 48 points.
Coach's Corner
Opening Statement
"This day could not have gone any better, starting five seniors and Shon Kitchens hits the first layup of the game. The emotion was so dynamic with our players and the crowd. This was an amazing day from opening tip, to cutting down the nights. I am very proud of the careers that these players have had."
Journey of the Senior class
"This group decided to come here when we weren't cutting down nets and thanks to them, the junior class came and bought into our vision. I think what makes this class special is the success of the team over the last four seasons."
On the mindset going forward
"I will watch film tonight and the players can enjoy the moment and then we will be back to practice tomorrow, preparing for Western Carolina. We will keep this business as normal and this team is mature in preparing for the next game."
Records Update
» Mercer: 27-2 (14-0 SoCon)
» ETSU: 18-11 (11-3 SoCon)
Next Game
Mercer will take on No. 8 seeded Western Carolina on Thursday at 11 a.m. in the opening round of the 2018 SoCon Women's Basketball Championship in Asheville, N.C. The contest will be played at the U.S. Cellular Center.
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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