Bears Welcome WKU to Hawkins on Friday

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer Women's Basketball team will continue its three-game home stand to kick off the 2019-20 season as Western Kentucky comes to Hawkins Arena on Friday afternoon.

The Bears are coming off a 74-47 victory over LaGrange College on Tuesday, backed by four players in double figures.

BEAR NECESSITIES
Date: Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 | 4:30 p.m.
Teams: Mercer (1-0) vs. Western Kentucky (0-1)
Location: Macon, Ga. | Hawkins Arena
Live Stats: mercerbears.com/livestats
TV: ESPN3
TV Talent: Craig Lawson and Sybil Blalock
Radio: 100.9 "The Creek", Sports Mic
Radio Talent: Billy Andrews
Twitter Updates: @Mercer_WBB
Promotion: N/A

Den of Thieves
The Bears' swarming defense created 19 seals in the season-opener against LaGrange on Tuesday evening, surpassing last season's high of 17 which was set in the NCAA Tournament at Iowa. It was the most steals in a game since Nov. 29, 2016 when Mercer recorded 19 in a 77-56 win at Georgia Southern.

Home Sweet Home
Tuesday's victory over LaGrange marked the program's 125th win at Hawkins Arena since the venue opened prior to the 203-04 season. The Bears are 125-85 all-time at Hawkins Arena, including an 83-49 mark under head coach Susie Gardner. Aditionally, Mercer has won at least 10 home games each season since the 2014-15 campaign, combining for a record of 59-17 (.797 win pct.) over that stretch.

YOUNG CUBS
The Bears' roster is comprised with a plethora of young talent with 11 of the 12 players being underclassmen. The returning sophomores of Jaron Dougherty, Amoria Neal-Tysor, Tia Benvenuti, Emily Stradling, Summer Pahl and Cierra Scott will be looked at to contribute for Mercer this season after playing sparingly as rookies. The group combined for seven percent of the shots attempted and 12 percent of the rebounds last season.

Last Time Out
Mercer opened its 2019-20 campaign with a decisive 74-47 victory over Division III LaGrange at Hawkins Arena Tuesday evening. The Bears sprinted out to a 22-6 lead and were in full control throughout the full 40 minutes.

Four players reached double figures for Mercer, including Shannon Titus and PJ Wintermyer tying with a game-high 14 points. Wintermyer added a team-best six rebounds, two blocks and two steals in her collegiate debut as the squad's best deep threat. The Vero Beach, Fla., native was 3-for-7 from long range and 5-for-13 from the floor.

The Bears' intense defense culminated into offense as they scored 35 points off 29 turnovers. As a team, the home side recorded 19 steals, surpassing last season's high of 17 set in the NCAA Tournament at Iowa.

Series History
Western Kentucky came out victorious in the only prior meeting between the two squads, claiming a 67-62 victory on Nov. 24, 2017 at the GSU Thanksgiving Classic. The Bears were unable to overcome a slow start in the game, having scored just four points in the first quarter on 2-of-18 shooting from the floor.

Mercer shot 35.2 percent for the game and 42.1 percent from 3-point range, led by KeKe Calloway (23 pts.) and Kahlia Lawrence (18 pts.) offensively. Current assistant coach Sydni Means scored 11 points in the contest to go along with a game-high seven assists. Amanda Thompson also recorded 11 rebounds.

Who are the Hilltoppers
Western Kentucky enters Friday's tilt seeking its first win following a 75-56 setback at No. 9 Louisville on Tuesday evening to open the season. The Hilltoppers kept it close with the Cardinals for most of the game, thanks to a 15-point effort from junior Sherry Porter. Dee Givens added 13 points, while Whitney Creech had 10.

Givens moved into a tie for 31st on WKU's all-time scoring list with 1,144 points and eighth in career 3-pointers made with 166.

After advancing to the third round of the WNIT a season ago, WKU was selected third in the Conference USA preseason poll. Givens and Raneem Elgedawy were also voted to the preseason All-Conference USA squad.

Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Women's Basketball, please follow the Bears on social media at @Mercer_WBB (Twitter), /MercerWBB(Facebook) and @MercerWBB (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.

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Players Mentioned

Tia Benvenuti

KeKe Calloway

Jaron Dougherty

Amoria Neal-Tysor

Summer Pahl

Cierra Scott

Emily Stradling

Amanda Thompson

Shannon Titus

PJ Wintermyer

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