Bears Host Samford in Weekend Battle

Saturday, February 15

Macon, Ga.

2 P.M.

Mercer University

Samford

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Photo by: Judy Stapleton

2/14/2020 3:01:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Mercer is looking to extend its home winning streak to four games

By: Stephen Waldman

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer Women's Basketball team wraps up its three-game home stand against Samford at 2 p.m. on Saturday in Hawkins Arena.

The Bears kick off a basketball doubleheader as the men's team will face UNCG at 4:30 p.m.

BEAR NECESSITIES
Date: Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020 | 2 p.m.
Teams: Mercer (6-18, 3-6 SoCon) vs. Samford (11-13, 6-3 SoCon)
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 | Samford
Promotions: Play 4 Kay Pink Out

Climbing The Leaderboard
Junior Shannon Titus has been climbing the program's all-time blocks list since the start of the season. The Johns Creek, Ga., native now has 89 blocked shots in her career which ties her with Jessica MIller for fifth place after an eight-block performance against Furman on Saturday. Titus is also closing in on the top-10 in single season blocks and steals.
Career Blocked Shots

Rk.	Name (Years)	Blocks
4.	Alex Phillips (2009-13)	101
5.	Jessica Miller (2001-05)	89
	Shannon Titus (2017-Pres.)	89

Single-Season Blocked Shots

Rk.	Name (Season)	Blocks
5.	Shannon Titus (2018-19)	45
6.	Kerstin Skaglus (1988-89)	44
7.	Rachel Selph (2015-16)	43
	Alex Phillips (2010-11)	43
9.	Jessica Miller (2004-05)	42
10.	Britnee Hazel (2010-11)	41
	Tanya Kessenich (2002-03)	41
	Shannon Titus (2019-20)	39

Single-Season Steals

Rk.	Name (Season)	Steals
6.	Sydni Means (2017-18)	79
7.	Rhonda Owens (2006-07)	78
8.	Tracy Henry (1999-00)	74
9.	Amanda Thompson (2018-19)	71
	Sally Skeldon (2005-06)	71
	Tracy Henry (2000-01)	71
	Shannon Titus (2019-20)	66

Defense is Key
Mercer has been one of the most active teams on the defensive end of the court. The Bears lead the SoCon in blocks (117, 4.9 per game) and steals (207, 8.6 per game) while ranking 25th in the nation in total blocks and blocks per game.

Shannon Titus leads the team in both categories with 66 steals and 39 blocks. She leads the SoCon in steals and is second in the conference in blocks. Jaron Dougherty is also among the SoCon's best, ranking fourth in both categories with 40 steals and 34 blocks.

Thrice As Nice
Jaron Dougherty recently became the first player in the 2019-20 season to be named the SoCon Player of the Week three times after being recognized on Tuesday. She averaged 16.0 points and 10.0 rebounds last week and led the Bears to a pair of wins over Wofford and Furman. Dougherty also earned the award on Jan. 7 and Jan. 28.

Dougherty has been one of the most consistent scorers for Mercer throughout the season thus far, averaging a team-high 15.6 points per game. The Buford, Ga., native has posted team highs in 20-point games (8) and double-doubles (7), while reaching double figure points in 17-of-24 games this year.

The sophomore forward has been on a tear lately, averaging 17.5 points over the last 13 games, reaching double digits in 11 games and posting 20 points five times. She set a new career high on Jan. 25 with 29 points against Chattanooga.

Last Time Out
Mercer worked its way to a 61-55 victory over Furman on Saturday at Hawkins Arena.

The Bears put together another solid defensive performance by holding Furman to 32.9 percent (24-of-73), including just 8.0 percent (2-of-25) from beyond-the-arc. Junior Shannon Titus was the catalyst for the defensive production with eight blocks in the game to tie a Hawkins Arena record. The last player to accomplish that feat was Teanna Robinson against Lipscomb on Feb. 8, 2014.

Mercer was able to take advantage of the Paladins in transition as they outscored Furman in fast break points, 21-1, and held the advantage in points off turnovers at 11-4.

Jaron Dougherty collected her seventh double-double of the season with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Amoria Neal-Tysor matched her with 17 points on the offensive end. Rookie Jill Harris added a career-high 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting to go along with a team-high four assists. Titus added seven rebounds and seven points in the contest, while Summer Pahl brought down eight rebounds and scored six points.

Series History
Mercer enters today's matchup with an all-time record of 19-6 against Samford. The Bears have won 16 of the last 17 meetings with the Bulldogs dating back to 2002.

Since joining the SoCon, Mercer is 5-0 in Macon against the Bulldogs.

In the first meeting this season, Samford came away with a 72-64 victory in Birmingham, Ala., thanks to a 28-point performance by Natalie Armstrong on 12-of-13 shooting. Shannon Titus and Jaron Dougherty both scored a team-high 19 points, while Amoria Neal-Tysor dished out a career-high eight assists.

Scouting the Bulldogs
After going 7-1 through their first eight SoCon games, the Bulldogs have dropped their last two contests against Furman (72-59) and Wofford (69-63).

Charity Brown has been one of the premier distributors throughout the season for Samford, ranking seventh in the country and first in the SoCon with 144 assists.

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.