Bears Welcome Bison into Hawkins Arena

Thursday, December 21

Macon, Ga.

7 P.M.

Mercer University

Howard

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12/20/2017 4:31:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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By: David Fox

MACON, Ga. – Mercer Women's Basketball will close out its three-game home stand tomorrow with a 7 p.m. battle against the Howard Bison. This will serve as the final home game for the Bears during the 2017 calendar year.

BEAR NECESSITIES
Date: Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017 | 7 p.m.
Teams: Mercer (10-2) vs. Howard (3-7)
Location: Macon, Ga. | Hawkins Arena
TV: ESPN3
TV Talent: Todd Wilson (Play-by-Play) / Sybil Blalock (Analyst)
Live Stats: mercerbears.com/livestats
Radio: Fox Sports 1670, iHeartRadio, Sports Mic
Radio Talent: Rick Cameron
Twitter Updates: @MercerWBB
Game Notes: Mercer | Howard
Promo: Santa will be in attendance

Crazy Eight
Mercer is seeking eight consecutive wins heading into Thursday's showdown with Howard. Mercer's win streak started on Nov. 26 with a 70-54 victory over VCU. Should the Bears win, this would mark the fourth time since the 2012-13 season that Mercer has embarked on an eight-game winning streak. The Bears are averaging 70.3 points, holding opponents to 51.9 points during the streak. Mercer is also 5-0 during the month of December and is 5-1 in contests played inside Hawkins Arena.

Keep the Train Rolling
Mercer's seven-game winning streak has steamrolled the Bears to a 10-2 overall record thus far in the season. The last time that Mercer began the season 10-2 was the 1979-80 season. That team would go on to a 14-2 record before falling at Georgia in overtime. The 1979-80 squad also set the program record for most wins in a season with 29. This is the best start for the Bears since making the jump to Division I.

Dominating Display
KeKe Calloway is coming off a career-high 26 points, including tying a career-best seven three pointers made. Sydni Means is also entering Thursday's game following a season-high 17 points. Lastly, Kahlia Lawrence notched her second double-double in three games following 17 points and a season-high 11 rebounds.

Last Time Out
Mercer upended South Carolina State by the final score of 74-53 to improve to 10-2 on the season. With the win, the Bears picked up win number seven in-a-row. Mercer overcame a slow start in which it was down four midway through the first quarter to take a 17-14 lead after the break. The Bears later trailed by three in the second quarter before going on a 13-2 run to take the eight-point advantage for good. Mercer outscored the Lady Bulldogs 38-27 in the second half to claim the 21-point victory.

KeKe Calloway had herself a night, notching a career-high 26 points, 20 of which came in the second half. Sydni Means carried the team in the first half with 15 of her season-high 17 points. Kahlia Lawrence registered 10 points and eight rebounds in the first half, later capping off the double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Series History
The Bears and Bison have met once before. Mercer holds a 1-0 edge over Howard, claiming the only meeting by the final score of 70-53 in the 2015 GSU Thanksgiving Classic in Atlanta, Ga. Lawrence finished with 17 points, while Means recorded 12 points and seven assists. Rachel Selph contributed 11 points and eight rebounds in the lone matchup against the Bison.

Herding the Bison
Howard arrives into Macon, Ga., following an 87-47 loss at Georgia on Tuesday. The Bison began the season 0-5 but have since then recorded a 3-2 record, with wins over Fairleigh Dickinson, Florida International and St. Francis Brooklyn.

The Bison allow 81.7 points per game, yielding 87 points to opponents in back-to-back games. However, Howard has the ability to get to the charity stripe, ranking 19th in the nation in free throw attempts with 253. Despite getting to the line, the Bison only connect on 58.5 of their free throws which ranks 340. Howard brings shot blockers to Macon as the team averages nearly five blocks per contest.

Sarah Edmond is the lone double-digit scorer, averaging 11.7 points per game. There are five players averaging over 4.0 rebounds per game, led by Imani Bryant with 4.9 boards. Bryant is second on the team in blocked shots with 12, trailing only Jayla Myles with 13.

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.