Mercer Aims to Avenge 2018 NCAA Tournament Loss

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer Women's Basketball squad will travel to Athens, Ga., to square off with a familiar foe, the Georgia Lady Bulldogs. Tip off will commence at 7 p.m. inside Stegeman Coliseum as the Bears aim to avenge their 2018 NCAA Tournament loss to Georgia.

BEAR NECESSITIES
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018 | 7 p.m.
Teams: Mercer (3-3) at Georgia (3-3)
Location: Athens, Ga. | Stegeman Coliseum
Live Stats: georgiadogs.com/livestats
Live Video: georgiadogs.com/livevideo
TV: SECN+
TV Talent: Matt Stewart & Christy Thomaskutty
Radio: 100.9 "The Creek", Sports Mic
Radio Talent: Rick Cameron
Twitter Updates: @MercerWBB
Game Notes: Mercer | Georgia

Definition of a Stat Stuffer
Amanda Thompson was the spark plug in Sunday's win over Bowling Green, filling up the stat sheet in numerous categories. Thompson compiled her second double-double of the season with a career-high 18 points to go alongside 10 rebounds. The North Carolina senior also swiped a career-best eight steals and dished out six assists, flirting with the program's first-ever quadruple double. Thompson got the job done at the charity stripe, finishing 8-of-8 for a career-best in free throws made. The senior forward averaged 11.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 4.5 steals per game over the weekend at the Coastal Carolina Thanksgiving Classic.

Keeping the Balance
The Bears have displayed balanced scoring through the first six games with three players averaging double digits and two right on the cusp of 10 points per game. Against the Falcons, Mercer placed five in double-digits led by Selph with 23. All three wins for Mercer has come when the Bears have four or more players score in double figures.

Swiper Keep Swiping
Mercer displayed its keen eye for jumping the pass on Sunday against Bowling Green. The Bears' defense forced 24 turnovers, of which 16 were stolen by Mercer. Both the turnovers and the steals were season highs as Mercer registered more than 15 steals for the first time since playing Furman on Feb. 1, 2018.

Last Time Out
Mercer responded with a win on Sunday over Bowling Green to wrap up the Coastal Carolina Thanksgiving Classic. The Bears carried a five-point advantage heading into the halftime break, leading 32-27. The Falcons then outscored Mercer by six in the third quarter to take the one-point lead with just 10 to play. Mercer put the game away in the fourth, outscoring Bowling Green 26-12, featuring a 16-0 spurt that gave the Bears a 13-point advantage with just under four minutes remaining.

Rachel Selph led all scorers with 23 points, knocking down 9-of-13 shots from the field. Selph also added seven rebounds and finished 5-of-5 from the line. Amanda Thompson posted a double-double with 18 points and 10 boards and finished 8-of-8 from the charity stripe. Linnea Rosendal (12), Shannon Titus (12) and KeKe Calloway (10) rounded out the double-digit scorers for Mercer.

Series History
Georgia has run away with the series as of late, winning 21 consecutive showdowns. The Lady Bulldogs lead the all-time series, 23-14. Mercer is 6-15 when playing in Athens, including suffering a heartbreaking 68-63 loss a season ago in the NCAA Tournament.

Leashing the Bulldogs
Georgia enters the showdown with a similar 3-3 record on the season. The Lady Bulldogs have dropped three of their last four games with losses coming against UCLA, Georgia Tech and Maryland. Georgia is still receiving votes in the AP Top 25 despite its most recent skid.

Taja Cole and Caliya Robinson are the go-to scorers for Joni Taylor's offense, averaging 12.7 points per game. Robinson also paces the team in rebounds with 8.3 per game. Sophomore guard Gabby Connally is the perimeter threat for Georgia, averaging 11.5 points per game and shooting .375 (12-32) from beyond the arc.

As a team, Georgia plays tough defense with little room for error. The Lady Bulldogs are holding opponents to .310 shooting, including just .193 from downtown. Georgia also averages 7.0 blocks per game and 44.5 rebounds, setting up for a difficult post presence for opposing teams.

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.

Mercer Aims to Avenge 2018 NCAA Tournament Loss

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Players Mentioned

KeKe Calloway

Linnea Rosendal

Rachel Selph

Amanda Thompson

Shannon Titus

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