Bears Travel to Chapel Hill for Showdown with Tar Heels

Thursday, December 28

Chapel Hill, N.C.

2 P.M.

Mercer University

North Carolina

Bears Travel to Chapel Hill for Showdown with Tar Heels

12/27/2017 3:58:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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By: David Fox

MACON, Ga. – Mercer Women's Basketball will begin a five-game road swing on Thursday with a showdown against perennial ACC powerhouse, North Carolina. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. inside Carmichael Arena. Mercer will then square off with Charlotte on Saturday in Charlotte, N.C. at 4 p.m.

BEAR NECESSITIES
Date: Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017 | 2 p.m.
Teams: Mercer (11-2) at North Carolina (10-2)
Location: Chapel Hill, N.C. | Carmichael Arena
TV: ACC Network Extra
TV Talent: Brian Waer
Live Stats: goheels.com/livestats
Radio: goheels.com/radio
Radio Talent: Walter Storholt
Twitter Updates: @MercerWBB
Game Notes: Mercer | North Carolina

Nine Sounds Fine
Mercer aims to win its ninth consecutive game on Thursday in Chapel Hill, N.C. With a win, the Bears would secure the second-longest winning streak during Coach Gardner's tenure. Mercer won 12 consecutive contests in Gardner's third season at the helm of the program. Most recently, the Bears defeated Howard by the final score of 70-44 on Dec. 21 to claim their eighth victory in-a-row. Mercer's eight-game winning streak features three wins on the road, two of which came in the Tar Heel State.

Just Call Her Butter
KeKe Calloway has been on a tear as of late, scoring 80 points in the previous three combined games. Calloway has scored in double-figures in five of the last six games. Most recently, the junior guard notched her first 30-point performance of her career against Howard, setting a new personal career high. Calloway also netted a career-high 11 made field goals in the 30-point performance. Calloway's dominating display immediately followed a career-best 26 points against South Carolina State, knocking down seven triples.

Active Hands
Mercer ranks second in the conference and 20th in the nation in steals. The Bears have accumulated 137 steals thus far in the season, averaging 10.5 swipes per game. Most recently, Mercer walked away with 12 steals against Howard, forcing 23 turnovers.

Last Time Out
Mercer defeated Howard by the final score of 70-44 on Dec. 21. The Bears trailed after the first quarter, 21-8, knocking down just two shots in the opening frame. Mercer came to life in the second quarter, outscoring Howard 23-5 in the final six minutes to take a five-point lead at halftime. The Bears continued their hot shooting in the second half, beginning on a 10-0 run to take the 15-point lead. A 22-0 run by Mercer provided the spark for the Bears as the home squad outscored the Bison 62-23 in the final three quarters, including 33-12 in the second half.

KeKe Calloway displayed another career night, finishing the game with 30 points and tying a career high in rebounds with nine boards. Sydni Means chipped in for eight points and eight assists, while Kahlia Lawrence tallied eight points and five boards.

Series History
The Bears are winless against North Carolina, falling in each of their three contests. Most recently, the Tar Heels upended Mercer in Orlando, Fla., by the final score of 121-61 on Nov. 29, 1985. The two squads have only met once in Chapel Hill, with North Carolina defeating Mercer, 100-79.

Bruising the Heels
North Carolina enters Thursday's game on an eight-game winning streak of its own. After beginning the season 2-2, with losses to Hampton and South Alabama, the Tar Heels have sprung to life with eight consecutive wins to move to 10-2. Most recently, North Carolina defeated Grambling State by the final score of 79-63 to secure Head Coach Sylvia Hatchell's 1,000th career win as a head coach. North Carolina is 1-0 against Southern Conference schools this season, defeating Furman 84-56.

The Tar Heels post four players in double figures, led by Paris Kea with 20.5 points per game. Kea also chips in for 6.8 dimes per contest. Jamie Cherry (16.7), Janelle Bailey (14.7) and Taylor Koenen (10.7) round out the double-figure scorers for North Carolina.

As a team, North Carolina is outscoring its opponents by nearly 16 points per game. The Tar Heels knock down 30.5 field goals per game, 6.4 of which come from behind the arc.

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.