Strong Start Sends Bears to Victory at WCU

Saturday, February 6

Cullowhee, N.C.

2 P.M.

Mercer University

13-5,7-2SoCon

Western Carolina

5-12,2-5SoCon

Mercer

Western Caro.

2/6/2021 7:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Jaron Dougherty recorded game highs with 23 points, 12 rebounds and four assists

By: Stephen Waldman

CULLOWHEE, N.C. – The Mercer women's basketball team completed the weekend sweep over Western Carolina with a 71-47 victory on Saturday at the Ramsey Center.

The Bears had strong showing on both ends of the court as they shot 44.6 percent (29-of-65) from the field while holding Western Carolina to 29.4 percent (15-of-51) shooting. Mercer won the turnover battle, 13-5, while outrebounding the Catamounts, 45-32.

Jaron Dougherty and Jada Lewis powered the Bears' offense in the game as the duo combined for 45 points. Dougherty posted game highs with 23 points, 12 rebounds and four assists as she collected her 15th career double-double. Lewis finished with 22 points while knocking down three 3-pointers and dishing out four assists. Shannon Titus chimed in with her second double-double of the year with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Jill Harris added a season-high seven points on an efficient 3-of-5 shooting in addition to matching Dougherty and Lewis with four assists.

How It Happened
Mercer wasted no time as Lewis hit a 3-pointer 17 seconds into the game. WCU answered with a triple from Kyla Allison before Dougherty returned the lead back to the visitors. After holding a 9-7 lead in the final minute of the opening period, the Bears created some separation by scoring 12 unanswered points over the next three minutes and 54 seconds. Lewis accounted for the final six points of the first quarter before a pair of jumpers by Dougherty and a layup by Titus put Mercer up by 14, 21-7.

The two sides traded blows before Mercer closed the first half on a 13-6 run that featured 11 combined points from Dougherty and Lewis. The Bears continued to build upon their 18-point advantage in the second half as a pair of Lewis free throws pushed the lead over 20 for the first time in the game a minute into the third period. The visitors began the final 20 minutes of the game on a 14-3 run to push their lead to a commanding 29 points.

The Bears' stingy defense prevented the Catamounts from mounting any sort of a comeback as they cruised to a 71-47 victory and their third sweep of the conference season.

Quotables – Head coach Susie Gardner
On starting fast in the game…
"I thought we really shot the ball well today, and we went to the offensive glass exceptionally well when we did miss. I also thought we did an exception job of making the adjustments we talked about on Friday in today's game."

On the big three's offensive output…
"You could tell Jada [Lewis] was feeling good today after she hit her first few 3-pointers, got to the rim and was hitting her free throws. She can be a really dynamic scorer, and I was really proud of the way she bounced back. We all know what Jaron [Dougherty] can do when she is on her game, and I thought today she played both ends of the floor well. She had a double-double along with five offensive boards and four assists and just played the type of game we need her to play. Shannon [Titus] also had a double-double and was just amazing on the offensive glass as well."

Player of the Game
Jaron Dougherty got it done on both ends of the floor today as she posted game highs with 23 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. The Buford, Ga., native tallied her seventh double-double of the season and 15th of her career.

Notables
» Mercer had two players score at least 20 points for the fifth game this season.
» The Bears posted their fifth wire-to-wire win of the year.
» Mercer's five turnovers matched its fewest giveaways this season.
» This was the eighth game the Bears committed fewer than 10 turnovers.
» Mercer held an opponent to fewer than 50 points for the fifth game this season.
» The Bears improved to a perfect 9-0 when scoring at least 70 points.
» Jaron Dougherty (23 pts./12 reb.) and Shannon Titus (11 pts./10 reb.) became the first pair of Mercer teammates to both record a double-double in the same game since Titus and Summer Pahl did it at Chattanooga on Feb. 20 last season.
» Dougherty posted her team-leading eighth 20-point game this year.
» Dougherty produced her 15th career double-double.
» Dougherty dished out a season-high four assists.
» Lewis tallied her 15th 20-point performance of her career.
» Lewis earned her sixth game with three or more 3-pointers.
» Lewis made her 450th career field goal.
» Titus documented her second double-double of the season and ninth of her career.
» Sierra Votaw collected her 300th collegiate rebound.
» Jill Harris recorded season highs with seven points and three field goals made.
» Sydneey Boykin brought down a season-high five rebounds.
» Cierra Scott dished out an assist in her season debut for the Bears.

Up Next
The Bears head to ETSU for their final road trip of the season next weekend. Mercer will clash with the Bucs on Thursday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 12 p.m. 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.