Bears Return Home to Face Gardner-Webb

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer Women's Basketball team will play its final game before the holiday season when it brings in Gardner-Webb to Hawkins Arena on Friday.

The game will tip off at 5 p.m. in the first game of a doubleheader. The men's basketball squad faces off against Furman at 7:30 p.m.

BEAR NECESSITIES
Date: Friday, Dec. 20, 2019 | 5 p.m.
Teams: Mercer (3-8) vs. Gardner-Webb (4-3)
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: Rick Cameron
Twitter Updates: @Mercer_WBB
Game Notes: Mercer | Gardner-Webb
Promotion: Free ticket w/ donation of unwrapped toy (Benefits Merrie Christmas Project)

Den Of Thieves
Mercer has been one of the most disruptive defensive units to play against this season, creating 121 steals through its first 11 games. At a clip of 11.0 steals per game the Bears rank 36th nationally and first in the SoCon in average steals and 15th in the country in total thefts.

The Bears have been ferocious as an entire unit, owning two of the top four individual steals leaders in the SoCon. Shannon Titus (32) ranks first in the SoCon and 11th nationally in steals, while Jaron Dougherty (19) boasts the third-most thefts in the conference.

Mercer tallied double-digit steals in seven games this season, the most recent of which came in a 10-steal performance against Florida on Tuesday.

One Man's Trash…
The Bears have been opportunistic with their offense through the early portion of the 2019-20 campaign, averaging 19.5 points per game off turnovers. Mercer has reached double digits in points off turnovers in all 11 games so far while eclipsing the 20-point mark five times.

Trust the Titus Touch
Junior Shannon Titus has been one of the bright spots for the Bears through the early part of the 2019-20 campaign, leading the team in steals (32), scoring (13.7 ppg), rebounds (7.4 rpg) and blocks (1.3 bpg).

The John's Creek, Ga., native currently ranks eighth all-time in blocks at Mercer with 64 denials, four shy of tying Christy Cogley for seventh. Additionally, she is two assists and one steal shy of reaching the century mark for her career in both categories.

Last Time Out
Mercer fell to Florida, 71-50, in a road test on Tuesday.

The Bears struggled offensively shooting 28.8 percent (19-of-66) from the floor and failed to have a player reach double figures in points for the first time in 35 games since Nov. 18, 2018 against UCF. The Gators managed to make 10 shots from long range and shot 32.3 percent (10-of-31) from 3-point range while outrebounding Mercer, 56-35.

Mercer forced Florida to turn the ball over 21 times; drawing 10 steals off the Gators' miscues.

Shannon Titus netted a team-high eight points along with seven rebounds and five steals, while Tia Benvenuti and Summer Pahl added seven points each. Benvenuti collected four rebounds, two steals and an assist, while Pahl brought down a career-high 11 boards in the game. Emily Stradling provided a spark off the bench as well for the Bears, scoring six points on 2-of-3 shooting from long range and tallying two rebounds in 12 minutes of action.

Series History
Mercer dominated the series with Gardner-Webb early on, winning the first four meetings between the two squads from 2003-05. The Bulldogs have won each of the last six contests, however, the most recent coming on Feb. 11, 2008.

Scouting the Runnin' Bulldogs
Gardner-Webb's most recent win over Delaware on Sunday snapped a two-game losing skid for the Runnin' Bulldogs. GW is currently 1-1 against SoCon opponents this season, having defeated Wofford (67-53) on Nov. 14 and losing to Furman (72-67) on Nov. 30.

The Bulldogs' success this season can be attributed in large part to the Plentovich sisters, Carley and Savannah.

The twins hold the top two spots on the team in points per game, 3-pointer's made, total points, assists and steals.

GW was selected fifth in the conference's preseason poll, while Carley Plentovich earned Preseason All-Big South First Team honors.

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

Jaron Dougherty

Summer Pahl

Emily Stradling

Shannon Titus

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