Celebrating 50 Years of Women’s Basketball: 1970’s
10/6/2020 3:48:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The women’s basketball program will recognize its teams and players from the 1970s throughout the month of October
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer women's basketball team is recognizing its teams of the 1970s in the month of October as part of its celebration of 50 years of competition.
Throughout the 2020-21 season, Mercer women's basketball is going to highlight a different decade each month from October to February for their accomplishments and the impact they made on the program.
The program's inaugural season came at the beginning of the decade in 1970-71. It did not take long for the Bears to find success on the court as the team won its first-ever game, a 45-23 victory over Wesleyan. Mercer documented the 100th win of the program's young history against in-state rival, Georgia, 78-69 on Jan. 13, 1976. One of the most notable victories in Mercer's history came on Dec. 7, 1974 when the Bears earned an 84-83 road victory at Tennessee in the Vols' first year under Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt. Later that season, the Bears defeated Delta State in the semifinals of the AIAW Region III Tournament, 65-52, snapping an 11-game winning streak for the Lady Statesmen. Delta State would go on to win three consecutive national titles from 1975-77, amassing a record of 93-4 over those seasons.
One of the highest honors the Bears received in their first 10 seasons was having the 1972-73 team commended by the Senate. The 1972-73 squad was commended for going 18-3, winning the Region III Tournament, defeating fourth-ranked Mississippi State College, earning a top-16 ranking nationally, participating in the Women's National Basketball Tournament at Queens College in Flushing, N.Y., and compiling an outstanding record during the 1971-72 season and winning the Southern Women's Athletic Conference championship. These outstanding records are due, in large part, to the incomparable talents, energy and hard work of coach Peggy Collins and the members of the 1972-73 team: Sybil Blalock, Myrel Huskey, Linda Callahan, Merita Favors, Candy Head, Deborah Johnson, Susan Johnson, Elizabeth McDaris and Ann Mauldin.
Throughout the first 10 years of the program, Mercer posted its most wins (190) and highest winning percentage (.742) in any decade. Mercer had a winning record in 8-of-the-10 seasons, while boasting a winning percentage of at least .800 five times. The Bears also documented the highest winning percentage in school history at .955 (21-1) in the 1971-72 season. The 1979-80 team was one of the greatest offensive teams Mercer has ever had, setting single season team records in points scored (3,139), points per game (89.5), field goals made (1,309), free throws made (514), rebounds (1,631) and assists (598) all without the benefit of the 3-point line, which would not be added until the 1987-88 season.
The '70s was littered with success for the Bears as they earned regular season titles in both the Southern Women's Athletic Conference (1971-72) and the Georgia Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (1979-80). Mercer also collected seven tournament titles throughout its first 10 seasons. The Bears won four tournament titles over a five-year span that included the 1971-72 SWAC Tournament, the 1972-73 Region III Tournament and the 1973-74 and 1974-75 GAIAW Tournaments. The Bears closed out the decade on a high note, capturing the 1978-89 GAIAW Tournament championship before winning their second Region III Tournament and fourth GAIAW Tournament crowns in 1979-80.
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.
Throughout the 2020-21 season, Mercer women's basketball is going to highlight a different decade each month from October to February for their accomplishments and the impact they made on the program.
The program's inaugural season came at the beginning of the decade in 1970-71. It did not take long for the Bears to find success on the court as the team won its first-ever game, a 45-23 victory over Wesleyan. Mercer documented the 100th win of the program's young history against in-state rival, Georgia, 78-69 on Jan. 13, 1976. One of the most notable victories in Mercer's history came on Dec. 7, 1974 when the Bears earned an 84-83 road victory at Tennessee in the Vols' first year under Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt. Later that season, the Bears defeated Delta State in the semifinals of the AIAW Region III Tournament, 65-52, snapping an 11-game winning streak for the Lady Statesmen. Delta State would go on to win three consecutive national titles from 1975-77, amassing a record of 93-4 over those seasons.
One of the highest honors the Bears received in their first 10 seasons was having the 1972-73 team commended by the Senate. The 1972-73 squad was commended for going 18-3, winning the Region III Tournament, defeating fourth-ranked Mississippi State College, earning a top-16 ranking nationally, participating in the Women's National Basketball Tournament at Queens College in Flushing, N.Y., and compiling an outstanding record during the 1971-72 season and winning the Southern Women's Athletic Conference championship. These outstanding records are due, in large part, to the incomparable talents, energy and hard work of coach Peggy Collins and the members of the 1972-73 team: Sybil Blalock, Myrel Huskey, Linda Callahan, Merita Favors, Candy Head, Deborah Johnson, Susan Johnson, Elizabeth McDaris and Ann Mauldin.
Throughout the first 10 years of the program, Mercer posted its most wins (190) and highest winning percentage (.742) in any decade. Mercer had a winning record in 8-of-the-10 seasons, while boasting a winning percentage of at least .800 five times. The Bears also documented the highest winning percentage in school history at .955 (21-1) in the 1971-72 season. The 1979-80 team was one of the greatest offensive teams Mercer has ever had, setting single season team records in points scored (3,139), points per game (89.5), field goals made (1,309), free throws made (514), rebounds (1,631) and assists (598) all without the benefit of the 3-point line, which would not be added until the 1987-88 season.
The '70s was littered with success for the Bears as they earned regular season titles in both the Southern Women's Athletic Conference (1971-72) and the Georgia Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (1979-80). Mercer also collected seven tournament titles throughout its first 10 seasons. The Bears won four tournament titles over a five-year span that included the 1971-72 SWAC Tournament, the 1972-73 Region III Tournament and the 1973-74 and 1974-75 GAIAW Tournaments. The Bears closed out the decade on a high note, capturing the 1978-89 GAIAW Tournament championship before winning their second Region III Tournament and fourth GAIAW Tournament crowns in 1979-80.
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.
Mercer Football 2025 | vs. Chattanooga | Full Game Highlights
Sunday, November 16
Mercer v Gardner Webb WBB Highlight Reel: 11/10/2025
Tuesday, November 11
Men’s Basketball Presser I November 10, 2025
Tuesday, November 11
Mercer Football Press Conference (Week 12 vs Chattanooga)
Monday, November 10
