Mercer Opens Conference Slate with Wofford, Thursday

Thursday, January 4

Spartanburg, S.C.

3 P.M.

Mercer University

Wofford

Photo by: Judy Stapleton

Mercer Opens Conference Slate with Wofford, Thursday

1/3/2018 2:56:00 PM | Women's Basketball

By: David Fox

MACON, Ga. – Mercer Women's Basketball will take its 10-game winning streak on the road this week to South Carolina. The Bears will take on Wofford in their conference opener on Thursday at 3 p.m. at Richardson Indoor Stadium in Spartanburg, S.C. Mercer will then travel to Greenville, S.C. for a 2 p.m. showdown with Furman.

BEAR NECESSITIES
Date: Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018 | 3 p.m.
Teams: Mercer (13-2) at Wofford (6-8)
Location: Spartanburg, S.C. | Richardson Indoor Stadium
TV: ESPN3
TV Talent: Jason Patterson & Bob McFarland
Live Stats: woffordterriers.com/livestats
Twitter Updates: @MercerWBB
Game Notes: Mercer | Wofford

We're Goin' Streaking
Mercer enters Thursday's showdown on a 10- game winning streak, most recently defeating Charlotte by the final score of 90-74 in Charlotte, N.C. The Bears are going for win number 11 in-arow on Thursday, which would put Mercer one shy of tying the most consecutive wins under current head coach, Susie Gardner. Gardner led Mercer on a 12-game winning streak during the 2012-13 season. The program record for consecutive wins is 21 set in 1973.

December to Remember
The Bears enter the 2018 calendar year after a scorching December in which Mercer finished 8-0. Mercer averaged 77.6 points per game during December, allowing just 57.0 points to opponents. The Bears posted three games with 90-or-more points in the month of December, including back-to-back 90-point games against North Carolina (97-86) and Charlotte (90-74) to conclude December.

Conference Opening Success
The Bears are 5-2 in conference openers under the guidance of Coach Gardner. Mercer enters Thursday's tilt, having won four consecutive conference-opening showdowns. Since joining the Southern Conference in 2014, the Bears are 3-0 in conference openers. Mercer is averaging 75.3 points per game in SoCon openers, holding opponents to 61.3 points.

Last Time Out
Mercer capped off the 2017 calendar year with a 90-74 victory over Charlotte in Charlotte, N.C. The Bears' victory marked their 10th consecutive win, running the win total to 5-0 against opponents from the Tar Heel state.

The Bears began the game on an 11-3 run before falling behind following an 18-8 spurt by the 49ers. After trailing by two at halftime, Mercer outscored Charlotte by five in the third quarter to take a three point advantage. The Bears started off the fourth quarter knocking down a three from Calloway, sparking a 28-15 victory in the final quarter to claim the 16-point win.

Kahlia Lawrence finished the game with 27 points (11-of-16), seven rebounds and six assists. Sydni Means led the squad in assists as the floor general collected 14 dimes, turning the ball over twice. KeKe Calloway (18), Amanda Thompson (14) and Rachel Selph (13) round out the double-digit scorers from the victory.

Series History
The Bears are 9-1 all-time against Wofford, claiming three wins in Spartanburg, S.C. Mercer has claimed eight consecutive games against the Terriers after the two squads split the first two meetings. Since Coach Gardner took over the reins, the Bears are a perfect 8-0 against the Terriers. Mercer has scored 68.8 points per game in the last eight meetings, holding Wofford to just 47 points per contest.

Taming the Terriers
Wofford is 6-8 on the season prior to tomorrow's game. The Terriers are coming off a 69-57 victory over North Florida at Richardson Indoor Stadium. Da'Ja Green finished the game four assists shy of a triple double, recording 13 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.

Cairo Booker leads the team in scoring, averaging 11.2 points per game, while pulling down 5.2 rebounds and dishing out 3.4 assists. Marissa Bayer anchors the team on the boards, averaging 6.1 rebounds per game and chipping in for 10.2 points. Green is the go to floor general, averaging 4.8 assists per game.

The Terriers have won just two games in their last seven outings. Wofford averages 666.2 points and 40.4 rebounds per game. The Terriers rank second in the conference in turnovers per game (12.6), trailing only Mercer with 10.5 per game.

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.