Saturday, February 16
Macon, Ga.
2 P.M.
Mercer University
18-7 (10-0)
71
vs
55
Western Carolina
4-22 (0-11)
1
2
3
4
F
WCU
13
16
12
14
55
Mercer
24
18
15
14
71
Team Stats
WCU
MER
FG%
.375
.471
3FG%
.294
.308
FT%
.700
.750
RB
27
42
TO
13
10
STL
5
4
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
18
FGM
9
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Pts
12
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballC
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG/F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballPhoto by: Judy Stapleton
Thompson Paces Bears Past Western Carolina
2/16/2019 7:12:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Mercer improves to 10-0 in SoCon play
MACON, Ga. – Mercer senior Amanda Thompson recorded her 14th double-double of the season with 18 points and 14 rebounds while leading Mercer to a 71-55 win over Western Carolina on Saturday at Hawkins Arena.
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The Bears (18-7, 10-0) remained undefeated in Southern Conference action with the home-court victory while Western Carolina dropped to 4-21 (0-11). Thompson (18), KeKe Calloway (12), Shannon Titus (12) and Rachel Selph (10) all scored double-digit points to boost the Bears to their 30th consecutive regular season SoCon win.
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Stat of the Game
Shannon Titus' filled up the box score with numerous stats, including 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three blocks (tied career high) and one steal.
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Player of the Game
Thompson was unstoppable on Saturday, recording 18 points on 9-of-14 shooting and 14 rebounds for her 14th double-double. The Hayesville, N.C. native put on a show against Western Carolina, highlighted by a strong first-half effort with 12 points and eight rebounds.
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How It Happened
Mercer jumped ahead quick and took control with a 24-13 first quarter. Thompson and Selph collected six of their points in the quarter and helped hold the Catamounts quiet on offense. Western Carolina hit only nine field goals in the first half. A 42-28 halftime lead came after Titus scored eight second-quarter points. Despite Western Carolina being effective from the free throw line in the first half, the Bears shot 51.4 percent from the field over the first 20 minutes to build a comfortable lead.
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Tia Benvenuti sparked the Bears' third quarter with the opening points on a fast break layup. Ally Welch hit a pair of clutch jumpers to add to Mercer's lead later on, making it a 57-41 game. Western Carolina would match Mercer with 14 fourth-quarter points, but the Bears notched their largest lead of the night (20) with five minutes left in the contest. Emily Stradling and Jaron Dougherty hit a jumper apiece down the stretch.
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Notables
» The win was Mercer's 30th consecutive SoCon regular-season victory.
» Mercer improved to 16-0 against Western Carolina in their overall series history.
» Amanda Thompson grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds. She had recorded double-digit rebounds in nine of 10 SoCon games.
» Shannon Titus and KeKe Calloway combined for 24 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, three blocks and one steal.
» All 13 Bears saw action in the win over the Catamounts.
» Mercer outshot Western Carolina 47 percent to 38 percent on field goals, 31 percent to 29 percent on three-pointers and 75 percent to 70 percent on free throws.
» The Bears earned 23 points off combined Catamount turnovers and fast breaks.
» Mercer totaled 18 assists for the game with Titus notching a game-high four assists.
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Coach's Corner
Opening statement:
"I thought we got off to a good first quarter," said head coach Susie Gardner. "I was a little disappointed that we got a lead and we kind of let them come back like we did at their place last time. We didn't play bad, we didn't play great, but we're 10-0, so I'm not going to complain about that."
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On having yet played a "complete" game:
"No, not today, it wasn't even close. We have four more games to get to that goal but today was not that. We just did not have the energy that we had last game, so it was not as good as I had hoped."
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On what it will take to have a complete game:
"I don't think we have a problem, I just don't think it was necessarily our best effort. We have five seniors who have been there and it is a long season. In basketball we play many games and it is hard to get up every single game, every single practice with high energy. I have to be a little understanding that we had a hard-fought win on Thursday, very little time to recover, and then play at 2 p.m. Saturday."
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Records Update
» Mercer: 18-7 (10-0 SoCon)
» Western Carolina: 4-22 (0-11 SoCon)
Next Game
Mercer will face ETSU on the road at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 before heading to Chattanooga, Tenn. to take on the Mocs on Saturday, Feb. 23.
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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.
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The Bears (18-7, 10-0) remained undefeated in Southern Conference action with the home-court victory while Western Carolina dropped to 4-21 (0-11). Thompson (18), KeKe Calloway (12), Shannon Titus (12) and Rachel Selph (10) all scored double-digit points to boost the Bears to their 30th consecutive regular season SoCon win.
Â
Stat of the Game
Shannon Titus' filled up the box score with numerous stats, including 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three blocks (tied career high) and one steal.
Â
Player of the Game
Thompson was unstoppable on Saturday, recording 18 points on 9-of-14 shooting and 14 rebounds for her 14th double-double. The Hayesville, N.C. native put on a show against Western Carolina, highlighted by a strong first-half effort with 12 points and eight rebounds.
Â
How It Happened
Mercer jumped ahead quick and took control with a 24-13 first quarter. Thompson and Selph collected six of their points in the quarter and helped hold the Catamounts quiet on offense. Western Carolina hit only nine field goals in the first half. A 42-28 halftime lead came after Titus scored eight second-quarter points. Despite Western Carolina being effective from the free throw line in the first half, the Bears shot 51.4 percent from the field over the first 20 minutes to build a comfortable lead.
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Tia Benvenuti sparked the Bears' third quarter with the opening points on a fast break layup. Ally Welch hit a pair of clutch jumpers to add to Mercer's lead later on, making it a 57-41 game. Western Carolina would match Mercer with 14 fourth-quarter points, but the Bears notched their largest lead of the night (20) with five minutes left in the contest. Emily Stradling and Jaron Dougherty hit a jumper apiece down the stretch.
Â
Notables
» The win was Mercer's 30th consecutive SoCon regular-season victory.
» Mercer improved to 16-0 against Western Carolina in their overall series history.
» Amanda Thompson grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds. She had recorded double-digit rebounds in nine of 10 SoCon games.
» Shannon Titus and KeKe Calloway combined for 24 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, three blocks and one steal.
» All 13 Bears saw action in the win over the Catamounts.
» Mercer outshot Western Carolina 47 percent to 38 percent on field goals, 31 percent to 29 percent on three-pointers and 75 percent to 70 percent on free throws.
» The Bears earned 23 points off combined Catamount turnovers and fast breaks.
» Mercer totaled 18 assists for the game with Titus notching a game-high four assists.
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Coach's Corner
Opening statement:
"I thought we got off to a good first quarter," said head coach Susie Gardner. "I was a little disappointed that we got a lead and we kind of let them come back like we did at their place last time. We didn't play bad, we didn't play great, but we're 10-0, so I'm not going to complain about that."
Â
On having yet played a "complete" game:
"No, not today, it wasn't even close. We have four more games to get to that goal but today was not that. We just did not have the energy that we had last game, so it was not as good as I had hoped."
Â
On what it will take to have a complete game:
"I don't think we have a problem, I just don't think it was necessarily our best effort. We have five seniors who have been there and it is a long season. In basketball we play many games and it is hard to get up every single game, every single practice with high energy. I have to be a little understanding that we had a hard-fought win on Thursday, very little time to recover, and then play at 2 p.m. Saturday."
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Records Update
» Mercer: 18-7 (10-0 SoCon)
» Western Carolina: 4-22 (0-11 SoCon)
Next Game
Mercer will face ETSU on the road at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 before heading to Chattanooga, Tenn. to take on the Mocs on Saturday, Feb. 23.
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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.
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