Mercer University
9-2
Winthrop
1-10
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer | 18 | 24 | 16 | 13 | 71 |
| Winthrop | 10 | 4 | 16 | 18 | 48 |
Team Stats
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Hot Start Propels Mercer over Winthrop, 71-48
12/18/2016 4:51:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kahlia Lawrence drops game-high 27 points
ROCK HILL, S.C. – Mercer used 42 first-half points and a 27-point performance by Kahlia Lawrence to cruise past Winthrop, 71-48, on Sunday afternoon at Winthrop Coliseum.
The Bears (9-2) earned their fourth road win of the season, largely due to a 24-point outburst in the second quarter to take a 42-14 advantage over Winthrop (1-10) into halftime. Thirteen Bears saw action during the contest after Mercer's starters put the game out of reach through two quarters of play.
Focus now shifts to Wednesday when Mercer will host No. 7 Florida State (10-1) at 7 p.m. at Hawkins Arena, where the Orange and Black are undefeated so far this season (5-0).
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a sluggish start in the opening minutes, Mercer took advantage of getting into the bonus early with seven free throws to lead 18-10 after one quarter. Sydni Means recorded all of her game-high three steals during the quarter.
The Bears' 24-4 second quarter was the difference in the game as they shot 52 percent (10-of-19) from the field and 57 percent (4-for-7) from behind the arc. Mercer held the Eagles scoreless for just over seven minutes in the frame and took advantage of a 16-0 run during the stretch. Lawrence and KeKe Calloway entered halftime with 19 and 15 points, respectively, while the team forced 11 Winthrop turnovers.
Winthrop would go on to outscore the Bears 34-29 in the second half as they committed nine turnovers to total 16 for the contest. Mercer's bench scored 18 total points, led by a career-high eight points from Callie Hackett and four points by Rachel Selph in her season debut.
NOTABLES
- Mercer improved to 8-3 overall and 4-2 in Rock Hill against Winthrop in the 11-game all-time series.
- Mercer's 9-2 start is tied for its best since the 1980-81 team went 9-2. It is additionally Mercer's best start under head coach Susie Gardner.
- The Orange and Black are 4-2 on the road this season.
- Rachel Selph rejected a shot in the second quarter to create a two-way tie for 10th place on Mercer's career blocks list (44).
- Lawrence reached the 20-point mark for the third time this season. She's led the Bears in scoring five games this year, tied for the most with Calloway.
- After missing the past six games due to injury, Alex Williams chipped in seven rebounds, which were tied for most among all players, and two points.
- Five of Amanda Thompson's seven rebounds were on the offensive boards. She's led the Bears in rebounding in nine of 11 games this season.
- Hackett connected for two three-pointers and a pair of free throws en route to her career-high eight points.
- Means, the SoCon assists leader, dished out a game-high four assists while hitting both of her shots from the field for five points.
COACH GARDNER'S TAKE
Opening Remarks:
"I was pleased with the 42-14 halftime score. What we talked about at halftime was showing some maturity and to keep taking it to [Winthrop] in the third quarter, which we did not do. It was nice to have Kahlia scoring again.
"This might be the first game all season that we've had more turnovers than assists, which is very out of character for us."
On the return of Rachel Selph and Alex Williams in the paint:
"It was good to see. My goal this game was to figure out the new rotation…I thought both Rachel and Alex did some good things. They looked a little rusty, but they allowed us to substitute a little more freely and in time they will get more in the flow."
On looking ahead to hosting No. 7 Florida State:
"We've got to get ready for what will be our toughest opponent this season. All I know is we've got to play our best basketball; we haven't played four quarters this year and haven't had five players on the court at once playing their best. We'll have to have all of that Wednesday."
RECORD UPDATE
- Mercer: 9-2 (0-0 Southern Conference)
- Winthrop: 1-10 (0-0 Big South)
UP NEXT
- Mercer: Hosts No. 7 Florida State on Wednesday, December 21 at 7 p.m.
- Winthrop: At No. 12 Ohio State on Wednesday, December 21 at 7 p.m.
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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