Bears Close out Tar Heel State Trip with Charlotte

MACON, Ga. – Mercer Women's Basketball will take on the 49ers of Charlotte tomorrow at 4 p.m. inside Halton Arena in Charlotte, N.C. Tomorrow's tilt will be the second of five consecutive games away from Hawkins Arena and the second consecutive game in the Tar Heel State.

BEAR NECESSITIES
Date: Sunday, Dec. 29, 2017 | 4 p.m.
Teams: Mercer (12-2) at Charlotte (4-8)
Location: Charlotte, N.C. | Halton Arena
TV: UNC Charlotte TV
TV Talent: Josh Feldman
Live Stats: charlotte49ers.com/livestats
Twitter Updates: @MercerWBB
Game Notes: Mercer | Charlotte

December to Remember
The Bears are currently 7-0 in the month of December, with just one game remaining in the final month of the 2017 calendar year. Mercer is averaging 75.9 points per game during December, allowing just 54.6 points to opponents. The Bears have posted two games with 90-or-more points in the month of December, most recently netting 97 against North Carolina on Thursday.

Assist-to-Turnover
Mercer ranks fourth in the NCAA in assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.64. The Bears also rank first in the conference in total assists (242) and assists per game (17.3). Mercer has only turned the ball over 148 times which ranks first in the conference and 17th in the NCAA. The Bears are averaging just 10.6 turnovers per game which is second in the NCAA, only trailing Villanova's 9.1 turnovers per game. Most recently, the Bears collected 22 assists against North Carolina, while only turning the ball over five times. Sydni Means finished the game with a career-best 16 assists and just one turnover. As a team, Mercer forced 17 Tar Heel turnovers and allowed just 14 assists.

The Road is No Factor
Mercer holds a perfect 5-0 record in true away games this season, most recently winning at North Carolina on Thursday. The Bears are 6-1 in games played away from Hawkins Arena, with the one loss being a 67-62 defeat against Western Kentucky in the GSU Thanksgiving Classic in Atlanta, Ga.

Last Time Out
Mercer notched a statement, come-from-behind win over North Carolina on Thursday, downing the Tar Heels 97-86 in Chapel Hill, N.C. The Bears found themselves down by 12 in the first quarter, but rallied in the final 2:42 of the opening quarter to cut the deficit to three. Mercer and North Carolina fought back-and-forth in the second quarter, with the Bears scoring the final six points to tie the game at 43. The Tar Heels owned the third quarter, outscoring Mercer 35-21 for the 14-point advantage. After surrendering the first basket of the final quarter, Mercer turned on the after burners. The Bears went on to outscore the Tar Heels, 33-8, in the final quarter to pick up the 11-point victory. Mercer ended the game on a 28-4 run over the final 7:51 of play.

Kahlia Lawrence put on a performance against the Tar Heels, scoring a career-high 39 points, while pulling down a career-best 13 rebounds. Sydni Means notched a career-high 16 assists, while only turning the ball over once. KeKe Calloway collected her fourth-consecutive 20-point performance, turning in 22 points.

Series History
The Bears are 1-3 all-time against the 49ers of Charlotte. Mercer claimed the first-ever meeting back on Jan. 9, 1984 (79-59). Since then, Charlotte has won three consecutive outings, including a 72-62 victory against Gardner's squad on Nov. 28, 2015.

Conquering Charlotte
The 49ers are 4-8 overall heading into tomorrow's tilt. Don't let the record fool you as Charlotte has lost five games by a combined nine points. Most recently, Charlotte upended South Carolina State by the final score of 64-49 on Thursday at Halton Arena. The 49ers are 3-1 in home games this season.

Charlotte is led in scoring by Laia Raventos, averaging 13.8 points per game. Raventos also chips in 5.0 assists and 4.5 boards per outing. Dara Pearson proves to be the top rebounder for the 49ers, averaging 9.1 boards per game which ranks fifth in the C-USA and 67th in the NCAA.

The 49ers have experience playing in tight games as six of their games have been decided by three points or less. Charlotte averages 65.3 points per game, yielding 66.0 points per game to opponents.

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.

Bears Close out Tar Heel State Trip with Charlotte

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Players Mentioned

KeKe Calloway

Kahlia Lawrence

Sydni Means

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