Bears Conclude Weekend with Clash against Catamounts

Saturday, January 20

Macon, Ga.

2 P.M.

Mercer University

Western Carolina

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Photo by: Judy Stapleton

Bears Conclude Weekend with Clash against Catamounts

1/19/2018 6:20:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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By: David Fox

MACON, Ga. – Mercer Women's Basketball will cap off the weekend with a 2 p.m. clash against the Western Carolina Catamounts tomorrow inside Hawkins Arena. Mercer will aim to extend its winning streak to 15 games before traveling to Tennessee next week to take on ETSU and Chattanooga.

BEAR NECESSITIES
Date: Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018 | 2 p.m.
Teams: Mercer (17-2, 4-0) vs. Western Carolina (3-16, 0-5)
Location: Macon, Ga. | Hawkins Arena
TV: ESPN3
TV Talent: Todd Wilson, Sybil Blalock & Kristin Banks
Live Stats: mercerbears.com/livestats
Twitter Updates: @MercerWBB
Game Notes: Mercer | WCU

14 Up, 14 Down
Mercer enters Saturday's conference clash on a 14-game winning streak, most recently besting UNCG by the final score of 80-57 in Mercer's SoCon home opener. The Bears 14-game winning streak is the longest in program history since joining the NCAA Division I level. The previous record was 12 set in 2012-13. The program record for consecutive wins is 21 set in 1973 when the Bears competed at the AIAW Division I level.

Offensive Prowess
The Bears have the ability to score at will, proving that is the case during the winning streak. During the 14-game winning streak, Mercer has been held to below 70 points in just four games. The Bears have registered 80-or-more points in five of the 14 games, including two in the last three. Mercer is averaging 75.6 points per game during the winning streak, proving time and time again that the Bears have the ability to score.

The Bench Factor
Mercer received a big boost from its bench in Thursday night's victory over the Spartans. The Bears tallied a season-high 33 points from the bench, led by 13 points from Linnea Rosendal. On average, Mercer is receiving 14.4 points per game from its reserves.

Last Time Out
Mercer is fresh off an 80-57 victory over UNCG on Thursday in the Bears' SoCon home opener. Mercer began the contest in an 11-0 hole before clawing back to within four points before the conclusion of the quarter. The Bears then held the Spartans to just eight points in the second quarter, tying the game up at halftime at 30 apiece. Mercer's offense exploded in the second half, outscoring the Spartans 50-27. The Bears claimed their first double-digit lead in the final quarter and did not look back, stretching the lead to as much as 25 points.

Kahlia Lawrence was held scoreless in the opening half but caught fire in the second half, scoring 23 points on 10-of-14 from the field. Rosendal finished the game with 13 points, while Rachel Selph added 10 points of her own. Sydni Means finished the game with seven points, 11 assists and zero turnovers.

Series History
The Bears are 11-0 all-time against the Catamounts, including 7-0 under current head coach Susie Gardner. Mercer is 6-0 all-time at home when playing Western Carolina, outscoring the Catamounts 71.5 points per game to 56.8.

Clipping the Claws
Western Carolina enters Saturday's game with a 3-16 overall record, having dropped five consecutive games. Most recently, the Catamounts fell to Samford by the final score of 62-54. Western Carolina has claimed one win in the last 10 games, downing NCAA DIII opponent Brevard College.

The Catamounts are led in scoring by Sherae Bonner with 10.7 points per game. Bonner also paces the squad in rebounds with 8.9. Tess Harrris has knocked down a team-best 26 threes, while JonTay Mitchem leads the way in assists with 37.

The Catamounts rank last in the SoCon in scoring at 54.7 points per game, but lead the league in field-goal percentage defense (37.7). Western Carolina is at the bottom of the conference in turnover margin at -6.32, averaging 20.2 turnovers per outing.

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.