Saturday, January 23
Macon, Ga.
6 p.m.
Mercer University
10-4,4-1SoCon
71
vs
57
Furman
5-9,1-4SoCon
1
2
3
4
F
Furman
16
10
14
17
57
Mercer
21
14
14
22
71
Photo by: Will Stone
Titus Joins 1,000-Point Club in Fourth Straight Win
1/23/2021 11:05:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Shannon Titus became the 27th member of Mercer’s 1,000-point club
MACON, Ga. – Senior Shannon Titus became the 27th player in Mercer women's basketball history to join the 1,000-point club as the Bears topped Furman, 71-57, for their fourth-straight Southern Conference win on Saturday evening.
Titus scored a season and game high 23 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the floor while going 7-of-8 from the charity stripe. The Johns Creek, Ga., native brought down nine rebounds, one away from recording her second-straight double-double, and had five offensive boards. Titus also posted game-highs with three steals and two blocks while adding four assists. Titus is now 25th on Mercer's all-time scoring list with 1,015 points.
Jada Lewis joined Titus in double figures with 21 points, going 6-of-13 from the field and 4-of-6 from downtown. Jaron Dougherty collected a game-high 10 rebounds and scored nine points, while Jill Harris dished out a game-high five assists.
The Bears led wire-to-wire for the fourth time this season and held the advantage for all-but 41 seconds. Mercer shot 43.4 percent (23-of-53) from the field and 57.1 percent (4-of-7) from 3-point range. The home team was also 21-of-26 (80.8 pct.) from the free throw line, marking its second-most makes from the charity stripe in a game this season. Mercer created offense from its defense as the Bears scored 21 points off turnovers in the game. They also dominated the turnover battle, 18-7, for their third consecutive game with fewer than 10 giveaways.
How It Happened
The Bears showed no ill effects of having played a taxing overtime game against a tough Furman team less than two days ago as Lewis energized everyone inside Hawkins Arena who wasn't wearing purple within the first 90 seconds of the contest. The Powder Springs, Ga., native warmed them up with a trey 41 seconds into the game before knocking down a free throw to make it 4-0. She topped it off with a fearless play on the defensive end as she drew a charge to give possession back to the home squad.
Those efforts sparked a 16-2 run to start the game for Mercer with Lewis accounting for seven of those points. Lewis finished the first period with 10 points, going 3-of-5 from the field and 3-of-3 from distance. Furman closed the gap throughout the final three minutes of the opening frame as a 10-1 run by the guests cut Mercer's lead down to five, 21-16, heading into the second quarter. Mercer incrementally worked its way to a 13-point advantage, 33-20, with just under three minutes remaining in the half, but the pesky Paladins hung around and brought it back down to single digits by the break.
The two sides traded blows throughout the third quarter as Titus neared the historic milestone she was approaching. After a five-point first half, Titus knocked down a pair of free throws with 7:03 on the clock to bring her to 999 career points. Following a miss on the opposite end of the floor, the Bears brought the ball up and set up their offense. Titus found some open spacing underneath the hoop and, as fate would have it, had a shot that went awry come straight to her without a defender within five feet of her. Without hesitation, Titus went up with the ball, kissed it off the glass and watched it fall through the twine in front of the Bears' bench that exploded with jubilation in recognition of this momentous occasion.
Titus' basket not only made her the 27th player in program history to record 1,000 points donning the Orange and Black, but it also extended the team's lead back to double digits at 11, 41-30.
Leading by nine points heading into the final quarter, Mercer finished the game with conviction as Middle Georgia's team earned its second-consecutive sweep in conference play and moved into a share of first place at 4-1 in SoCon play with the 71-57 victory.
Quotables – Head coach Susie Gardner
On Shannon Titus reaching 1,000 career points…
"Well, you know Shannon is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, and that's what she's known as because she plays such great defense. You couple that with her guarding [Tierra] Hodges tonight and getting her 1,000th point, what a great night for Shannon and our program. It's a credit to her for all of the hard work she's put in. She barely played as a freshman and broke out once she saw the floor."
On Shannon's surge after scoring her 1,000th career point…
"I honestly didn't know when that moment was, I just know that as she got hot we started running plays for her. You can always tell when players are feeling it, and I'm the type of coach who keeps going to someone once they get hot. I thought Jada [Lewis] was really hot in the first quarter for sure and got us off to a great start."
On the team's offensive versatility…
"I think we're a difficult team to matchup with because we do have four players who can score and average double figures. We don't really have that type of player you can put a weaker defender on because on any given night, Jaron [Dougherty], Amoria [Neal-Tysor], Shannon or Jada could be our leading scorer. I think that's what makes us difficult to defend. But Jada did a great job getting us going early tonight."
On the team's defensive effort…
"We knew that our defense was going to have to show up tonight. It's very difficult to play the same team on Thursday and Saturday. Furman is a great defensive team in the half court, and they make it hard on us with some of the things they can do. As cliché as it may be, we flet like we needed to create offense with our defense. We got some steals; we got some tips; we got some run outs and that turned into points."
On preparing for the next opponent after an emotional win like this…
"It's so interesting to be playing in this format because it's such an adjustment, but I think our players are handling it very well. You're able to spend the entire week preparing for one opponent instead of focusing for three days on Thursday's opponent and then using Friday to get ready for Saturday's opponent. We've been able to immerse ourselves all-in for that one team, so we're going to continue to do what we've been doing. We're going to prepare for Thursday and see if there are any changes that need to be made before Saturday.
"We're going to try and get some rest because these were two really hard games for us physically. I'm really proud of Shannon for playing so many minutes and of Jill [Harris] for everything she brings to this team each game. We don't really talk about Jill that much because she doesn't show up on the stat sheet, but she runs our team. She defends very well and is an extension of me on the court. She's very valuable to our program and probably doesn't get the credit she deserves."
Assistant Coach Ben Wierzba
Player of the Game
Shannon Titus reached a couple of milestones in tonight's game in addition to scoring a season-high 23 points. The Johns Creek, Ga., native became the 27th player to score 1,000 career points while donning a Mercer jersey, while also recording the 500th rebound of her career. Titus led all players offensively in the game and finished 8-of-16 from the field while adding a personal-best 7-of-8 makes from the free throw line. She grabbed nine rebounds in the game (five offensive) and was one away from her second straight double-double. Additionally, she tallied four assists, three steals and two blocks while playing all 40 minutes of the game.
Notables
» Mercer earned its second-consecutive weekend sweep over a SoCon opponent after taking both games at UNCG last weekend.
» The Bears improved to 4-1 in conference and moved into a tie for first place with Samford and Wofford.
» Harris
» Mercer recorded its fourth wire-to-wire victory of the year.
» The Bears extended their winning streak to four games and have won seven of their last eight.
» The Orange and Black are now 8-1 when they shoot 40 percent or better from the field.
» Mercer is now 6-1 in games starting at 6 p.m. or later.
» Shannon Titus became the 27th player in Mercer history to join the 1,000-point club.
» Titus' season-high 23 points moved her into 25th on the program's all-time scoring list with 1,015 career points.
» Titus collected the 500th rebound of her career.
» Titus hit a career-high seven free throws in the game.
» Titus moved into eighth place on Mercer's career steals list with 189, passing Kahlia Lawrence's (2014-18) total of 188.
» Titus tallied her second 20-point performance of the year and 11th in her career.
» Jaron Dougherty recorded nine points in the game, snapping her streak of 12 consecutive games scoring in double figures.
» Dougherty brought down a game-high 10 rebounds, marking the sixth game this season and 15th of her with double-digit boards.
» Jill Harris dished out a game-high five assists.
» Jada Lewis matched her season high with four 3-pointers.
» Naomi Van Nes has blocked a shot in three of the last four games.
» Allie Thayne scored a season-high six points, going a perfect 3-of-3 from the field.
Up Next
The Bears remain at home to face Chattanooga for a pair of games next weekend. The first game is slated for Thursday at 7 p.m., while the second matchup is scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. Both games will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Thursday's game being available to fans on the radio via 100.9 "The Creek" and the SportsMic app with the voice of the Bears, Rick Cameron, on the call.
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.
Jada Lewis joined Titus in double figures with 21 points, going 6-of-13 from the field and 4-of-6 from downtown. Jaron Dougherty collected a game-high 10 rebounds and scored nine points, while Jill Harris dished out a game-high five assists.
The Bears led wire-to-wire for the fourth time this season and held the advantage for all-but 41 seconds. Mercer shot 43.4 percent (23-of-53) from the field and 57.1 percent (4-of-7) from 3-point range. The home team was also 21-of-26 (80.8 pct.) from the free throw line, marking its second-most makes from the charity stripe in a game this season. Mercer created offense from its defense as the Bears scored 21 points off turnovers in the game. They also dominated the turnover battle, 18-7, for their third consecutive game with fewer than 10 giveaways.
How It Happened
The Bears showed no ill effects of having played a taxing overtime game against a tough Furman team less than two days ago as Lewis energized everyone inside Hawkins Arena who wasn't wearing purple within the first 90 seconds of the contest. The Powder Springs, Ga., native warmed them up with a trey 41 seconds into the game before knocking down a free throw to make it 4-0. She topped it off with a fearless play on the defensive end as she drew a charge to give possession back to the home squad.
Those efforts sparked a 16-2 run to start the game for Mercer with Lewis accounting for seven of those points. Lewis finished the first period with 10 points, going 3-of-5 from the field and 3-of-3 from distance. Furman closed the gap throughout the final three minutes of the opening frame as a 10-1 run by the guests cut Mercer's lead down to five, 21-16, heading into the second quarter. Mercer incrementally worked its way to a 13-point advantage, 33-20, with just under three minutes remaining in the half, but the pesky Paladins hung around and brought it back down to single digits by the break.
J Lew going to work 𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙮 with 🔟 points in the first quarter! 😳#DefineYourMoment | @jada3x13 pic.twitter.com/PO3AlrbYcY
— Mercer Women's Basketball (@Mercer_WBB) January 23, 2021
The two sides traded blows throughout the third quarter as Titus neared the historic milestone she was approaching. After a five-point first half, Titus knocked down a pair of free throws with 7:03 on the clock to bring her to 999 career points. Following a miss on the opposite end of the floor, the Bears brought the ball up and set up their offense. Titus found some open spacing underneath the hoop and, as fate would have it, had a shot that went awry come straight to her without a defender within five feet of her. Without hesitation, Titus went up with the ball, kissed it off the glass and watched it fall through the twine in front of the Bears' bench that exploded with jubilation in recognition of this momentous occasion.
👀 Peep the moment Shannon became the 27th player in program history to reach 1⃣0⃣0⃣0⃣ points! 🏀🗑️#DefineYourMoment | #1KClub pic.twitter.com/FdvT56cTm1
— Mercer Women's Basketball (@Mercer_WBB) January 24, 2021
Titus' basket not only made her the 27th player in program history to record 1,000 points donning the Orange and Black, but it also extended the team's lead back to double digits at 11, 41-30.
Leading by nine points heading into the final quarter, Mercer finished the game with conviction as Middle Georgia's team earned its second-consecutive sweep in conference play and moved into a share of first place at 4-1 in SoCon play with the 71-57 victory.
LIGHT IT UP!!! 🌉#DefineYourMoment | #LightTheBridge pic.twitter.com/BJ1RcPwABu
— Mercer Women's Basketball (@Mercer_WBB) January 24, 2021
Quotables – Head coach Susie Gardner
On Shannon Titus reaching 1,000 career points…
"Well, you know Shannon is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, and that's what she's known as because she plays such great defense. You couple that with her guarding [Tierra] Hodges tonight and getting her 1,000th point, what a great night for Shannon and our program. It's a credit to her for all of the hard work she's put in. She barely played as a freshman and broke out once she saw the floor."
On Shannon's surge after scoring her 1,000th career point…
"I honestly didn't know when that moment was, I just know that as she got hot we started running plays for her. You can always tell when players are feeling it, and I'm the type of coach who keeps going to someone once they get hot. I thought Jada [Lewis] was really hot in the first quarter for sure and got us off to a great start."
On the team's offensive versatility…
"I think we're a difficult team to matchup with because we do have four players who can score and average double figures. We don't really have that type of player you can put a weaker defender on because on any given night, Jaron [Dougherty], Amoria [Neal-Tysor], Shannon or Jada could be our leading scorer. I think that's what makes us difficult to defend. But Jada did a great job getting us going early tonight."
On the team's defensive effort…
"We knew that our defense was going to have to show up tonight. It's very difficult to play the same team on Thursday and Saturday. Furman is a great defensive team in the half court, and they make it hard on us with some of the things they can do. As cliché as it may be, we flet like we needed to create offense with our defense. We got some steals; we got some tips; we got some run outs and that turned into points."
On preparing for the next opponent after an emotional win like this…
"It's so interesting to be playing in this format because it's such an adjustment, but I think our players are handling it very well. You're able to spend the entire week preparing for one opponent instead of focusing for three days on Thursday's opponent and then using Friday to get ready for Saturday's opponent. We've been able to immerse ourselves all-in for that one team, so we're going to continue to do what we've been doing. We're going to prepare for Thursday and see if there are any changes that need to be made before Saturday.
"We're going to try and get some rest because these were two really hard games for us physically. I'm really proud of Shannon for playing so many minutes and of Jill [Harris] for everything she brings to this team each game. We don't really talk about Jill that much because she doesn't show up on the stat sheet, but she runs our team. She defends very well and is an extension of me on the court. She's very valuable to our program and probably doesn't get the credit she deserves."
Assistant Coach Ben Wierzba
Player of the Game
Shannon Titus reached a couple of milestones in tonight's game in addition to scoring a season-high 23 points. The Johns Creek, Ga., native became the 27th player to score 1,000 career points while donning a Mercer jersey, while also recording the 500th rebound of her career. Titus led all players offensively in the game and finished 8-of-16 from the field while adding a personal-best 7-of-8 makes from the free throw line. She grabbed nine rebounds in the game (five offensive) and was one away from her second straight double-double. Additionally, she tallied four assists, three steals and two blocks while playing all 40 minutes of the game.
Notables
» Mercer earned its second-consecutive weekend sweep over a SoCon opponent after taking both games at UNCG last weekend.
» The Bears improved to 4-1 in conference and moved into a tie for first place with Samford and Wofford.
» Harris
» Mercer recorded its fourth wire-to-wire victory of the year.
» The Bears extended their winning streak to four games and have won seven of their last eight.
» The Orange and Black are now 8-1 when they shoot 40 percent or better from the field.
» Mercer is now 6-1 in games starting at 6 p.m. or later.
» Shannon Titus became the 27th player in Mercer history to join the 1,000-point club.
» Titus' season-high 23 points moved her into 25th on the program's all-time scoring list with 1,015 career points.
» Titus collected the 500th rebound of her career.
» Titus hit a career-high seven free throws in the game.
» Titus moved into eighth place on Mercer's career steals list with 189, passing Kahlia Lawrence's (2014-18) total of 188.
» Titus tallied her second 20-point performance of the year and 11th in her career.
» Jaron Dougherty recorded nine points in the game, snapping her streak of 12 consecutive games scoring in double figures.
» Dougherty brought down a game-high 10 rebounds, marking the sixth game this season and 15th of her with double-digit boards.
» Jill Harris dished out a game-high five assists.
» Jada Lewis matched her season high with four 3-pointers.
» Naomi Van Nes has blocked a shot in three of the last four games.
» Allie Thayne scored a season-high six points, going a perfect 3-of-3 from the field.
Up Next
The Bears remain at home to face Chattanooga for a pair of games next weekend. The first game is slated for Thursday at 7 p.m., while the second matchup is scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. Both games will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Thursday's game being available to fans on the radio via 100.9 "The Creek" and the SportsMic app with the voice of the Bears, Rick Cameron, on the call.
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.
Team Stats
Furman
Mercer
FG%
.440
.434
3FG%
.444
.571
FT%
.556
.808
RB
29
34
TO
18
7
STL
5
8
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
23
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
7
Pts
21
FGM
6
3FGM
4
FTM
5
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
8
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballG/F
/ Women's Basketball
C
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