Saturday, January 27
Chattanooga, Tenn.
2 P.M.
Mercer University
20-2, 7-0SoCon
71
at
50
Chattanooga
13-8, 4-3SoCon
1
2
3
4
F
Mercer
23
10
25
13
71
Chattanooga
5
19
12
14
50
Team Stats
MER
UTC
FG%
.500
.375
3FG%
.375
.267
FT%
.889
1.000
RB
41
24
TO
10
9
STL
7
5
Game Leaders
Pts
17
FGM
8
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
17
FGM
7
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
Photo by: Judy Stapleton
Mercer Overshadows Mocs for 17th Consecutive Win
1/27/2018 5:26:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Susie Gardner becomes all-time winningest coach at Mercer with 134 wins
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Mercer women's basketball steamrolled through Chattanooga en route to its 20th win and 17th consecutive victory, besting the Mocs 71-50 on Saturday at McKenzie Arena. Head Coach Susie Gardner earned win No. 134 at Mercer in the process, becoming the program's all-time winningest coach.
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Stat of the Game
The Bears won the battle of the boards on Saturday afternoon, out-rebounding Chattanooga 41-24. Mercer successfully grabbed 30 defensive rebounds and 11 offensive rebounds, which turned into 12 second-chance points.
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Player of the Game
Sydni Means orchestrated the Mercer offense in the victory, ending the game with 11 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Means also came up with two big steals to help seal the victory.
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How It Happened
The first quarter proved to be all Mercer as the Bears scored the first 10 points of the game. After a Chattanooga three-pointer put the Mocs on the board, Mercer responded with another 8-0 run for a 15-point advantage. Kahlia Lawrence put a stamp on the quarter by draining a three with just five seconds remaining to give Mercer the 23-5 advantage.
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Chattanooga stormed back in the second quarter, beginning the second stanza on an 11-2 run to pull within nine points. The Mocs later closed the gap to just five points before Lawrence netted a much-needed jumper. Means ended the second quarter on a positive note for the Bears, going coast-to-coast for the layup through contact, extending the Bears' advantage to 33-24 at the half.
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Mercer used the momentum to turn the game back in its favor in the third quarter, outscoring the Mocs 17-8 through the first 6:27 following Calloway's triple. The Bears continued the run, outscoring Chattanooga 8-4 to close the quarter with a 22-point advantage.
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It was all but over entering the fourth quarter as Chattanooga could not overcome the large deficit. The Mocs closed the gap to 17, but Mercer responded with five unanswered points to stretch its lead back to 22. Kayla Potts' jumper with 28 seconds put the icing on the cake, providing the Bears with their 21-point victory.
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Notables
» Head Coach Susie Gardner collected win No. 134, becoming the all-time winningest coach in program history.
» KeKe Calloway knocked down one three-pointer, setting the new program single-season record for three-pointers made with 78.
» Mercer improves to 3-16 all-time against Chattanooga, including winning its first-ever contest in McKenzie Arena.
» The Bears improve to 20-2, winning their 17th consecutive game to set the program record for most wins in the NCAA Division I era.
» Mercer has now won 15 consecutive games by double-digits, dating back to a 15-point win over Davidson on Dec. 3.
» The Bears have now won 20 games in the last four seasons and five out of the last six.
» Mercer pulled down 41 rebounds today, out-rebounding the Mocs by 17 (41-24).
» The Bears scored 71 points against Chattanooga's defense, which led the SoCon in fewest points allowed per game. This is the third-most points that the Mocs have surrendered this season.
» Mercer is now 11-0 in true road games this season.
» The Bears have registered back-to-back perfect months, finishing 8-0 in December and 7-0 in January.
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Coach's Corner
Opening Statement
"Obviously pleased with the way we started the first quarter, couldn't ask for a better start. Sydni's finish at the half gave us the momentum going into halftime. I thought we were really focused and we had a great practice on Friday evening to prepare for today."
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On the rebounding effort
"We have really been struggling with being out-rebounded as of late, so I was really pleased with our efforts on the glass. This was a huge positive for us to be able to rebound well on both ends of the floor."
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On the offensive production
"We were able to create offense with our defense. We created some steals and ran the floor really well today. Sydni was able to push the ball in transition instead of having to play half-court offense."
Â
On becoming all-time winningest coach
"I want to thank Tiffany Swoffard and Rhet Wierzba for coming here when I first got the job. I also want to thank Angie Nelp for joining us in year three and for laying the foundation for the program when we weren't winning and for believing in what we were trying to build. I also want to thank Joanna Reitz for joining us in our fourth season and helping bring a strong group of recruits to this program. Of course I want to thank Tiffany [Morton], Tre [Powell] and Ben [Wierzba] for continuing our success. Obviously every coach has been a part of each win and every player who believed in what we were trying to build has played a big role.
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Records Update
» Mercer: 20-2 (7-0 SoCon)
» Chattanooga: 13-8 (4-3 SoCon)
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Next Game
» Mercer: vs. Furman on Thursday, Feb. 1 at 5 p.m. at Hawkins Arena in Macon, Ga.
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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.
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Stat of the Game
The Bears won the battle of the boards on Saturday afternoon, out-rebounding Chattanooga 41-24. Mercer successfully grabbed 30 defensive rebounds and 11 offensive rebounds, which turned into 12 second-chance points.
Â
Player of the Game
Sydni Means orchestrated the Mercer offense in the victory, ending the game with 11 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Means also came up with two big steals to help seal the victory.
Â
How It Happened
The first quarter proved to be all Mercer as the Bears scored the first 10 points of the game. After a Chattanooga three-pointer put the Mocs on the board, Mercer responded with another 8-0 run for a 15-point advantage. Kahlia Lawrence put a stamp on the quarter by draining a three with just five seconds remaining to give Mercer the 23-5 advantage.
Â
Chattanooga stormed back in the second quarter, beginning the second stanza on an 11-2 run to pull within nine points. The Mocs later closed the gap to just five points before Lawrence netted a much-needed jumper. Means ended the second quarter on a positive note for the Bears, going coast-to-coast for the layup through contact, extending the Bears' advantage to 33-24 at the half.
Â
Mercer used the momentum to turn the game back in its favor in the third quarter, outscoring the Mocs 17-8 through the first 6:27 following Calloway's triple. The Bears continued the run, outscoring Chattanooga 8-4 to close the quarter with a 22-point advantage.
Â
It was all but over entering the fourth quarter as Chattanooga could not overcome the large deficit. The Mocs closed the gap to 17, but Mercer responded with five unanswered points to stretch its lead back to 22. Kayla Potts' jumper with 28 seconds put the icing on the cake, providing the Bears with their 21-point victory.
Â
Notables
» Head Coach Susie Gardner collected win No. 134, becoming the all-time winningest coach in program history.
» KeKe Calloway knocked down one three-pointer, setting the new program single-season record for three-pointers made with 78.
» Mercer improves to 3-16 all-time against Chattanooga, including winning its first-ever contest in McKenzie Arena.
» The Bears improve to 20-2, winning their 17th consecutive game to set the program record for most wins in the NCAA Division I era.
» Mercer has now won 15 consecutive games by double-digits, dating back to a 15-point win over Davidson on Dec. 3.
» The Bears have now won 20 games in the last four seasons and five out of the last six.
» Mercer pulled down 41 rebounds today, out-rebounding the Mocs by 17 (41-24).
» The Bears scored 71 points against Chattanooga's defense, which led the SoCon in fewest points allowed per game. This is the third-most points that the Mocs have surrendered this season.
» Mercer is now 11-0 in true road games this season.
» The Bears have registered back-to-back perfect months, finishing 8-0 in December and 7-0 in January.
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Coach's Corner
Opening Statement
"Obviously pleased with the way we started the first quarter, couldn't ask for a better start. Sydni's finish at the half gave us the momentum going into halftime. I thought we were really focused and we had a great practice on Friday evening to prepare for today."
Â
On the rebounding effort
"We have really been struggling with being out-rebounded as of late, so I was really pleased with our efforts on the glass. This was a huge positive for us to be able to rebound well on both ends of the floor."
Â
On the offensive production
"We were able to create offense with our defense. We created some steals and ran the floor really well today. Sydni was able to push the ball in transition instead of having to play half-court offense."
Â
On becoming all-time winningest coach
"I want to thank Tiffany Swoffard and Rhet Wierzba for coming here when I first got the job. I also want to thank Angie Nelp for joining us in year three and for laying the foundation for the program when we weren't winning and for believing in what we were trying to build. I also want to thank Joanna Reitz for joining us in our fourth season and helping bring a strong group of recruits to this program. Of course I want to thank Tiffany [Morton], Tre [Powell] and Ben [Wierzba] for continuing our success. Obviously every coach has been a part of each win and every player who believed in what we were trying to build has played a big role.
Â
Records Update
» Mercer: 20-2 (7-0 SoCon)
» Chattanooga: 13-8 (4-3 SoCon)
Â
Next Game
» Mercer: vs. Furman on Thursday, Feb. 1 at 5 p.m. at Hawkins Arena in Macon, Ga.
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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.
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