Bears Welcome Lady Bulldogs in Nonconference Clash

Sunday, November 19

Macon, Ga.

2 P.M.

Mercer University

Georgia

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Bears Welcome Lady Bulldogs in Nonconference Clash

11/18/2017 3:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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By: David Fox

MACON, Ga. – Mercer Women's Basketball will host the Georgia Lady Bulldogs in a nonconference tilt tomorrow at 2 p.m. in Hawkins Arena. Tomorrow's contest will conclude a two-game home stand for Mercer.

BEAR NECESSITIES
Date: Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017 | 2 p.m.
Teams: Mercer (3-0) vs. Georgia (2-0)
Location: Macon, Ga. | Hawkins Arena
TV: ESPN3
TV Talent: Todd Wilson (play-by-play)/Sybil Blalock (analyst)/Avery Braxton (sideline)
Radio: 97.3 "The Bull"
Radio Talent: Rick Cameron
Live Stats: mercerbears.com/livestats
Twitter Updates: @MercerWBB
Game Notes: Mercer | Georgia

Three In-A-Row
Mercer has opened the 2017-18 season with a 3-0 record for the second time in three seasons. This is the third time under head coach Susie Gardner that the Bears have begun the season with a 3-0 mark. Mercer is averaging 70.3 points per game, outscoring opponents by 15.6 per contest.

The Tenacious Trio
The Bears are full of talent from top to bottom and have proven so in the first three games. The trio of Kahlia Lawrence, KeKe Calloway and Sydni Means continue to anchor the squad as each player is averaging over 10 points per game. Lawrence leads the team with 18.7 points per outing, while Calloway averages 16.7 and Means boasts 13.7 per game. Means is also posting 8.0 assists per contests, ranking 12th in the NCAA.

Dig Deep
The Bears utilized their entire bench on Thursday night against Georgia Southern, as each of the 12 active players saw the hardwood. Both freshmen, LaKaitlin Wright and Shannon Titus made their collegiate debuts. Mercer used a joint effort to down the Eagles, 72-45.

Threes-A-Plenty
Mercer continues to pour in shot after shot from beyond the arc, having netted 19 threes this season. The Bears are averaging 6.3 three pointers per game. KeKe Calloway paces the squad from downtown, having buried 11 of the team's 19 threes. Calloway is no stranger to the three pointer, knocking down 131 to rank sixth all-time in program history.

Fast Hands
Mercer's defense has proved to be stifling for its opponents through the first three games, forcing 75 turnovers. The Bears rank 24th in the NCAA in turnovers forced per game, 25.0. Sydni Means leads the team in steals with 11, while Kahlia Lawrence is not far behind with 10. Mercer has forced 24 turnovers in each of its last two games.

Last Time Out
The Bears torched the Eagles on Thursday in the home opener at Hawkins Arena. Prior to the contest, Mercer unveiled its 2017 Regular Season SoCon banner and 2017 WNIT banner prior to tip off. Mercer raced ahead for the 72-45 victory, knocking down seven threes in the process. The Bears also forced 24 Eagle turnovers to secure the home opener. Calloway finished the game with a team-high 17 points on 6-of-17 shooting, including 3-of-6 from downtown. Linnea Rosendal etched a season-high 15 points, finishing 6-of-9 from the field. Lawrence (13) and Means (12) rounded out the double-figure scorers.

Series History
Georgia owns a 21-14 advantage over Mercer in the all-time series. The Bulldogs have defeated the Bears 7-of-13 times in Macon, Ga. Georgia defeated Mercer last season in Athens by the final score of 72-64. The Bulldogs have won 19 consecutive outings, with Mercer's last victory coming on Feb. 13, 1980 in Macon, Ga., by the final score of 113-74.

Unleash the Bulldogs
Georgia enters Sunday's tilt with a 2-0 overall record. The Bulldogs cruised to a 95-56 victory over SoCon foe Wofford in the season opener. Georgia then defeated Virginia on Thursday, 64-61 in Charlottesville, Va. The Bulldogs boast four players in double-digit scoring through the first two games, led by Caliya Robinson's 15.0 points per game. Robinson also averages 6.0 boards per contest, ranking second on the squad. Forward Mackenzie Engram has tacked on 11.5 points and a team-high 7.0 rebounds per game. As a team, Georgia has accounted for 79.5 points per game, holding its opponents to 58.5 for a scoring margin of 21 points per outing. The Bulldogs also pull down 45.5 rebounds per contest, holding opponents to 36.5 boards.

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.