Bears Focused on Clash with Kennesaw State

Saturday, December 1

Macon, Ga.

2 P.M.

Mercer University

Kennesaw State

Photo by: Judy Stapleton

11/30/2018 2:29:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Live Stats Watch Tickets Mercer Notes KSU Notes

Mercer returns home for three-game stand

By: David Fox

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer Women's Basketball squad will kick off a three-game home stand beginning with Kennesaw State tomorrow at 2 p.m. Mercer will compete in Hawkins Arena for just the third time this season after spending three consecutive contests on the road.

BEAR NECESSITIES
Date: Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018 | 2 p.m.
Teams: Mercer (3-4) vs. Kennesaw State (3-5)
Location: Macon, Ga. | Hawkins Arena
Live Stats: mercerbears.com/livestats
TV: ESPN+
TV Talent: Todd Wilson and Sybil Blalock
Twitter Updates: @MercerWBB
Game Notes: Mercer | Kennesaw State

She's Got CLASS
On Friday afternoon, KeKe Calloway was named a Senior CLASS Award candidate, joining Sydni Means as back-to-back Mercer student-athletes to be named to the list. Calloway's on-court accolades have earned her a spot in the Top 30 candidates, while also being the only SoCon representative on the list. The field will be narrowed to 10 finalists in February with the winner being announced during the 2019 NCAA Women's Final Four this spring.

Feels Good to be Home
Mercer has only played inside "The Hawk" twice so far, splitting its first two games with Florida and UCF. The Bears have played three true road contests and two neutral-site games. Mercer's contest against Kennesaw State will start a string of three consecutive home outings for the Orange & Black. Mercer will also welcome Florida State (Dec. 5) and Charlotte (Dec. 9) into Macon before heading back on the road before the holidays.

Saturdays are for the Bears
Mercer has yet to play a Saturday game until its matchup with Kennesaw State. The Bears have seen success on Saturday's in the last three seasons. Last year, the Bears finished 9-1 on Saturday with the one loss coming to Georgia in the NCAA Tournament in Athens. Mercer is a combined 27-6 in the last three seasons when playing on a Saturday. The matchup with the Owls will be one of nine contests on Saturday this season.

Last Time Out
Mercer fought tooth-and-nail with the Georgia Lady Bulldogs on Wednesday in Athens, Ga., looking to avenge its five-point loss in the 2018 NCAA Women's Division I Tournament. The Bears started out on top with a 19-11 first quarter led by KeKe Calloway and Amanda Thompson. However, Georgia responded with a 24-11 second quarter to take the five-point lead at the break. Mercer didn't let the momentum slip away much longer, cutting the Lady Bulldogs lead down to two, setting up a dramatic fourth-quarter finish. The Bears were able to hang with Georgia despite the Lady Bulldogs' size, taking the one-point lead over the home squad with just over five minutes remaining. The Bears then went cold from the floor, knocking down one shot in the final five minutes as Georgia outscored Mercer 12-4 down the stretch to claim the 67-60 victory.

KeKe Calloway led Mercer with 21 points on 10-of-17 from the field. Meanwhile, Amanda Thompson and Shannon Titus chipped in for 12 points apiece. Titus led the Bears in rebounds with a career-high seven boards.

Series History
Mercer is 12-10 all-time against Kennesaw State, winning three consecutive showdowns with the Owls. Most recently, Mercer defeated Kennesaw State 61-46 in Macon on Dec. 3, 2016. The Bears have won seven of the last eight matchups and are 7-4 all-time inside Hawkins Arena when playing the Owls.

Hoo are the Owls?
Kennesaw State enters the weekend with a 3-5 mark, most recently defeating Georgia Southern on Wednesday (78-59). Three different players recorded double-doubles against the Eagles, led by Siminia Avram with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Amani Johnson added 17 points and 11 assists, while Alexis Poole chipped in for 12 points and 12 boards.

As a team, the Owls are averaging 65.1 points and 36.8 rebounds per game. Kennesaw State has difficulty hanging on to the ball at times, averaging just under 21 turnovers per game.

Kamiyah Street leads the squad with 16.4 points, while Alexis Poole averages 13.6 points and 9.0 boards per game. Amani Johnson is both the perimeter threat (.357) and ball handler (41 assists).

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.