Bears Battle Eagles in Home Opener

Thursday, November 16

Macon, Ga.

7 P.M.

Mercer University

Georgia Southern

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11/15/2017 11:16:00 AM | Women's Basketball

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By: David Fox

MACON, Ga. – Mercer Women's Basketball will jump start its home schedule tomorrow with a 7 p.m. showdown against Georgia Southern. The contest will be played in Hawkins Arena and will be one of two contests played at home this week.

BEAR NECESSITIES
Date: Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017 | 7 p.m.
Teams: Mercer (2-0) vs. Georgia Southern (1-1)
Location: Macon, Ga. | Hawkins Arena
TV: ESPN3
TV/Radio: Todd Wilson (play-by-play)/Sybil Blalock (analyst)/Avery Braxton (sideline)
Live Stats: mercerbears.com/livestats
Twitter Updates: @MercerWBB
Game Notes: Mercer | Georgia Southern

Home Sweet Home
The Bears began the season on the road for the first two games, travelling to Florida to take on a pair of Sunshine State opponents. Mercer upended UCF (73-64) and Florida Atlantic (66-55) while in Florida before returning to Hawkins Arena for the home opener on Thursday. The Bears are 24-5 inside Hawkins Arena over the last two seasons, including 12-2 during the 2016-17 campaign. Mercer has won five consecutive home openers with the last loss coming to Georgia Southern on Nov. 17, 2011 by the final score of 57-55.

Threes-A-Plenty
Mercer has knocked down 12 threes thus far through the first two games. Lawrence is responsible for four of the Bears' long balls, while Calloway has knocked down eight triples this season. Mercer is shooting 12- of-32 from downtown this season for .375 percent.

Fast Hands
Mercer's defense has proved to be stifling for its opponents through the first two games, forcing 51 turnovers. The Bears rank 32nd in the NCAA in turnovers forced per game, 25.5. Lawrence paces the team in steals with eight, while Means is right on her heals with seven.

And The Award Goes To...
Both Kahlia Lawrence and Sydni Means garnered recognition this week for their play in the opening games. Lawrence was named the College Madness SoCon Player of the Week, averaging 21.5 points and 5.0 rebounds. Means garnered the SoCon Player of the Week award after finishing with 14.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in the first two games.

Last Time Out
The Bears defeated Florida Atlantic on Sunday, 66-55, in Boca Raton, Fla. Sydni Means finished the game with 14 points and seven assists, while Kahlia Lawrence and KeKe Calloway paced the squad in scoring with 17 each. Amanda Thompson chipped in her first double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 boards.

Series History
The Bears and Eagles are all too familiar with each other on the hardwood, meeting for the 66th time. Mercer holds a slight advantage over Georgia Southern, 35- 30. The Bears are 6-3 against the Eagles under the guidance of Gardner. Mercer has defeated Georgia Southern in three consecutive outings, including a 77- 56 victory last season in Statesboro, Ga.

Eagle Eye
Georgia Southern finished 13-17 during the 2016-17 campaign, dropping three out of the last four games. The Eagles are off to a 1-1 start this season, most recently defeating Coastal Georgia by the final score of 68-63 on Monday in Statesboro, Ga. Rhein Beamon leads the squad in points per game at 10.5 and is the only Eagle averaging double-digits through the first two games. Sierra Butler proves to be a force inside, averaging 8.5 points and 8.0 rebounds thus far in the season.

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.