Thursday, January 28
Macon, Ga.
7 P.M.
Mercer University
11-4,5-1SoCon
50
vs
42
Chattanooga
8-7,3-3SoCon
1
2
3
4
F
Chattanooga
6
14
11
11
42
Mercer
5
15
17
13
50
Photo by: Katie Linkner
Mercer Extends Winning Streak to Five against Chattanooga
1/28/2021 11:06:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Jaron Dougherty recorded her second double-double of the year with 15+ points and 15+ rebounds
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer women's basketball team pushed its winning streak to five consecutive games following a 50-42 victory over Chattanooga on Thursday evening at Hawkins Arena.
The Bears defense was active throughout the game, generating 10 steals on 17 forced turnovers while blocking five shots and holding the Mocs to a 34.0 percent (17-of-50) field goal percentage. Mercer held a 46-36 advantage in rebounds while also defending the three-ball well as Chattanooga's 2-of-14 (14.3 pct.) performance from beyond-the-arc was the Bears' lowest opponent 3-point percentage of the year. Additionally, it was the first time Mercer held an opposing Division I team without a player in double figures this season. The Bears locked down Chattanooga's three biggest threats on the offensive end of the floor as Eboni Williams (3-of-8), Abbey Cornelius (2-of-9) and Bria Dial (0-of-5, 0-of-4 on 3-pointers) combined for just 12 points.
Neither team shot the ball particularly well in the game as Mercer finished the game 20-of-66 (30.3 pct.) from the floor while going 2-of-9 (22.2 pct.) from beyond-the-arc.
Junior Jaron Dougherty had another strong showing for the Bears with game highs in 21 points and 16 rebounds, in addition to posting two blocks and an assist. Dougherty was one of three Bears to reach double figures, along with Jada Lewis (13 pts.) and Amoria Neal-Tysor (11 pts.). Lewis dished out a team-high three assists and tallied two steals. Shannon Titus and Allie Thayne put together strong showings in the defensive half court as Titus totaled 11 rebounds, six steals and a block. Thayne matched her season high with eight rebounds and blocked a shot while playing lock down defense and drawing two charges.
How It Happened
The two familiar foes opened the scoring early as Dougherty converted a second-chance layup and Cornelius hit a jumper in the paint in the first 67 seconds of the game. Both offenses went cold shortly thereafter, however, as the two teams combined to go 0-of-16 from the field with five turnovers over the next six minutes of play. The only point scored over that stretch came on a Dougherty free throw to put the Bears up, 3-2. Neal-Tysor halted the drought with a jumper with 2:52 remaining in the opening period, but Chattanooga went on to score the final four points of the quarter to take a one-point edge.
Mercer and UTC traded blows throughout the second stanza and headed into the break deadlocked at 20 apiece. The Bears were able to get into a rhythm offensively coming out of the break and utilized an 11-4 run to start the second half to create some space between the two teams. Chattanooga clawed its way back into the game, but a last-second jumper by Dougherty got a friendly bounce off the familiar rims of Hawkins Arena and deflected perfectly off the glass and in as time expired in the third quarter to put the Bears back up by six, 37-31.
The Bears were unable to break Chattanooga's spirits as the Mocs regained the lead with 4:03 remaining, 40-38, when Williams finished the old-fashioned, three-point play. It was UTC's first lead since holding a 20-18 advantage with 1:45 left in the first half. Lewis responded to tie the game at 40-all with 3:15 on the clock and, after an Amaria Pugh free throw, Dougherty handed the Bears the lead with a layup at 2:35, 42-41. Cornelius knotted the game once more with a free throw with 2:19 flashing on the scoreboard, but the home squad tightened up for the remainder of the game and went on an 8-0 run to claim its fifth consecutive victory.
After Thayne grabbed an offensive rebound, Lewis put Mercer ahead with a driving layup with 1:43 remaining before Dougherty padded the lead with a jumper at 1:02. The duo knocked down two free throws each down the stretch to seal the win.
Quotables – Head coach Susie Gardner
On the team's ability to finish games…
"The most positive thing I can say about tonight's game is that we found a way to win. We did hit some shots and free throws when we needed to. It was one of the worst offensive performances I have ever been around as a coach. But, at the end of the day, we did find a way. Jaron [Dougherty] and Jada [Lewis] hit some big shots for us, and we got some big stops when we needed. We had 18 offensive rebounds so when you shoot the ball that poorly, to come away with 39 percent of our offensive rebounds always helps."
On Allie Thayne's defensive performance…
"Allie is becoming our charge specialist. I've tried to preach to our players how important taking charges are. A lot of times as a post defender you are in help position, especially on guards driving, and we've never really had a low post that would do that. I've coached against other teams that would do that, but she has really started to find her niche with that. It's a huge momentum swing for us and gets us excited. And it gets someone else a foul. She's giving us a lot of good stuff on defense.
Assistant Coach Ben Wierzba
Player of the Game
Jaron Dougherty was the difference in the second half for the Bears as she scored 16 of her game-high 21 points in the final 20 minutes. The Buford, Ga., native shot 7-of-16 from the field and grabbed 11 rebounds in the second half, including five on the offensive glass. Dougherty finished with game highs with 21 points and 16 rebounds, marking her second double-double this season in which she has recorded at least 20 points and 15 rebounds. It was her sixth double-double of the year and 14th of her career.
Notables
» Mercer extended its winning streak to five games.
» The Bears and Mocs combined for 40 points in the first quarter, the fewest in a Mercer game this season.
» Mercer remained perfect on Thursdays this season, moving to 4-0.
» The Orange and Black improved to 7-1 in night games (6 p.m. or later opening tip).
» Mercer moved to 6-0 in games when it outrebounds the opposition.
» Jaron Dougherty posted her second double-double of the season with at least 20 points and 15 rebounds after going for 25 points and 19 rebounds against Tennessee State on Nov. 28.
» Dougherty tallied her sixth double-double of the season and 14th of her career.
» Dougherty scored in double figures for the 13th time this season and 35th time of her career.
» Dougherty reached the 20-point plateau for the seventh game this season and 16th time in her career.
» Dougherty hit a number of milestones in tonight's game, including her 800th point, 400th rebound and 70th block.
» Dougherty passed Christy Cogley for eighth on Mercer's career blocks list with 70.
» Dougherty collected a season-high seven offensive rebounds.
» Amoria Neal-Tysor played in her 75th career game.
» Neal-Tysor drained her 80th career 3-pointer tonight.
» Neal-Tysor scored in double figures for the 30th time in her career.
» Jada Lewis reached double figures for the 11th game as a member of the Bears and 64th time in her career.
» Allie Thayne matched her season high with eight rebounds in the game, including a personal-best seven on the offensive glass.
» Shannon Titus passed Sarah Russell on Mercer's all-time scoring list and now sits 24th with 1,018 points.
Up Next
The Bears will close out their four-game homestand on Saturday as they finish their two-game series with Chattanooga at 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
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.
The Bears defense was active throughout the game, generating 10 steals on 17 forced turnovers while blocking five shots and holding the Mocs to a 34.0 percent (17-of-50) field goal percentage. Mercer held a 46-36 advantage in rebounds while also defending the three-ball well as Chattanooga's 2-of-14 (14.3 pct.) performance from beyond-the-arc was the Bears' lowest opponent 3-point percentage of the year. Additionally, it was the first time Mercer held an opposing Division I team without a player in double figures this season. The Bears locked down Chattanooga's three biggest threats on the offensive end of the floor as Eboni Williams (3-of-8), Abbey Cornelius (2-of-9) and Bria Dial (0-of-5, 0-of-4 on 3-pointers) combined for just 12 points.
Neither team shot the ball particularly well in the game as Mercer finished the game 20-of-66 (30.3 pct.) from the floor while going 2-of-9 (22.2 pct.) from beyond-the-arc.
Junior Jaron Dougherty had another strong showing for the Bears with game highs in 21 points and 16 rebounds, in addition to posting two blocks and an assist. Dougherty was one of three Bears to reach double figures, along with Jada Lewis (13 pts.) and Amoria Neal-Tysor (11 pts.). Lewis dished out a team-high three assists and tallied two steals. Shannon Titus and Allie Thayne put together strong showings in the defensive half court as Titus totaled 11 rebounds, six steals and a block. Thayne matched her season high with eight rebounds and blocked a shot while playing lock down defense and drawing two charges.
How It Happened
The two familiar foes opened the scoring early as Dougherty converted a second-chance layup and Cornelius hit a jumper in the paint in the first 67 seconds of the game. Both offenses went cold shortly thereafter, however, as the two teams combined to go 0-of-16 from the field with five turnovers over the next six minutes of play. The only point scored over that stretch came on a Dougherty free throw to put the Bears up, 3-2. Neal-Tysor halted the drought with a jumper with 2:52 remaining in the opening period, but Chattanooga went on to score the final four points of the quarter to take a one-point edge.
Mercer and UTC traded blows throughout the second stanza and headed into the break deadlocked at 20 apiece. The Bears were able to get into a rhythm offensively coming out of the break and utilized an 11-4 run to start the second half to create some space between the two teams. Chattanooga clawed its way back into the game, but a last-second jumper by Dougherty got a friendly bounce off the familiar rims of Hawkins Arena and deflected perfectly off the glass and in as time expired in the third quarter to put the Bears back up by six, 37-31.
Just like we drew it up 😬😅#DefineYourMoment | #RoarTogether pic.twitter.com/jzXo5y4uTU
— Mercer Women's Basketball (@Mercer_WBB) January 29, 2021
The Bears were unable to break Chattanooga's spirits as the Mocs regained the lead with 4:03 remaining, 40-38, when Williams finished the old-fashioned, three-point play. It was UTC's first lead since holding a 20-18 advantage with 1:45 left in the first half. Lewis responded to tie the game at 40-all with 3:15 on the clock and, after an Amaria Pugh free throw, Dougherty handed the Bears the lead with a layup at 2:35, 42-41. Cornelius knotted the game once more with a free throw with 2:19 flashing on the scoreboard, but the home squad tightened up for the remainder of the game and went on an 8-0 run to claim its fifth consecutive victory.
After Thayne grabbed an offensive rebound, Lewis put Mercer ahead with a driving layup with 1:43 remaining before Dougherty padded the lead with a jumper at 1:02. The duo knocked down two free throws each down the stretch to seal the win.
Make that 🖐️ straight for the Bears! 😤#DefineYourMoment | #LightTheBridge pic.twitter.com/8apWsMrjsH
— Mercer Women's Basketball (@Mercer_WBB) January 29, 2021
Quotables – Head coach Susie Gardner
On the team's ability to finish games…
"The most positive thing I can say about tonight's game is that we found a way to win. We did hit some shots and free throws when we needed to. It was one of the worst offensive performances I have ever been around as a coach. But, at the end of the day, we did find a way. Jaron [Dougherty] and Jada [Lewis] hit some big shots for us, and we got some big stops when we needed. We had 18 offensive rebounds so when you shoot the ball that poorly, to come away with 39 percent of our offensive rebounds always helps."
On Allie Thayne's defensive performance…
"Allie is becoming our charge specialist. I've tried to preach to our players how important taking charges are. A lot of times as a post defender you are in help position, especially on guards driving, and we've never really had a low post that would do that. I've coached against other teams that would do that, but she has really started to find her niche with that. It's a huge momentum swing for us and gets us excited. And it gets someone else a foul. She's giving us a lot of good stuff on defense.
Assistant Coach Ben Wierzba
Player of the Game
Jaron Dougherty was the difference in the second half for the Bears as she scored 16 of her game-high 21 points in the final 20 minutes. The Buford, Ga., native shot 7-of-16 from the field and grabbed 11 rebounds in the second half, including five on the offensive glass. Dougherty finished with game highs with 21 points and 16 rebounds, marking her second double-double this season in which she has recorded at least 20 points and 15 rebounds. It was her sixth double-double of the year and 14th of her career.
Chef JD has cooked up her 6⃣th 𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞-𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 of the season with 11 pts./10 reb.! 👩🍳#DefineYourMoment | @Jabron42 pic.twitter.com/hQ6ngWLu6F
— Mercer Women's Basketball (@Mercer_WBB) January 29, 2021
Notables
» Mercer extended its winning streak to five games.
» The Bears and Mocs combined for 40 points in the first quarter, the fewest in a Mercer game this season.
» Mercer remained perfect on Thursdays this season, moving to 4-0.
» The Orange and Black improved to 7-1 in night games (6 p.m. or later opening tip).
» Mercer moved to 6-0 in games when it outrebounds the opposition.
» Jaron Dougherty posted her second double-double of the season with at least 20 points and 15 rebounds after going for 25 points and 19 rebounds against Tennessee State on Nov. 28.
» Dougherty tallied her sixth double-double of the season and 14th of her career.
» Dougherty scored in double figures for the 13th time this season and 35th time of her career.
» Dougherty reached the 20-point plateau for the seventh game this season and 16th time in her career.
» Dougherty hit a number of milestones in tonight's game, including her 800th point, 400th rebound and 70th block.
» Dougherty passed Christy Cogley for eighth on Mercer's career blocks list with 70.
» Dougherty collected a season-high seven offensive rebounds.
» Amoria Neal-Tysor played in her 75th career game.
» Neal-Tysor drained her 80th career 3-pointer tonight.
» Neal-Tysor scored in double figures for the 30th time in her career.
» Jada Lewis reached double figures for the 11th game as a member of the Bears and 64th time in her career.
» Allie Thayne matched her season high with eight rebounds in the game, including a personal-best seven on the offensive glass.
» Shannon Titus passed Sarah Russell on Mercer's all-time scoring list and now sits 24th with 1,018 points.
Up Next
The Bears will close out their four-game homestand on Saturday as they finish their two-game series with Chattanooga at 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
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
UTC
Mercer
FG%
.340
.303
3FG%
.143
.222
FT%
.667
.667
RB
36
46
TO
17
10
STL
7
10
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
21
FGM
9
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
3
FGM
1
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballG/F
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