Conference Play Commences

Saturday, January 8

Macon, Ga.

2:00 PM

Mercer University

Chattanooga

Photo by: James Thomas

1/7/2022 2:56:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Mercer opens league slate with Chattanooga

MACON, Ga. – Following three canceled contests and a postponement, the Mercer women's basketball team will return to the court to welcome the Chattanooga Mocs for the first SoCon game for both sides.

BEAR NECESSITIES
Teams: Mercer Bears vs. Chattanooga Mocs
Date: Saturday, January 8, 2021 • 2 p.m.
Location: Macon, Ga. • Hawkins Arena
TV: ESPN+
TV Talent: Sybil Blalock and Bryce Koon
Twitter Updates: @Mercer_WBB

Last Time Out
Mercer was propelled by a 29-point third frame to power past UAB on December 19. Jaron Dougherty put up 30 points and Amoria Neal-Tysor added 19 en route to a 71-62 Bears win. The homestanding Bears notched 26 points in the paint and scored 12 via the fast break.
Following the win, Dougherty's performance earned her the SoCon Player of the Week honor for the second time this season.

Series History
The Bears and Mocs will meet for the 28^th time tomorrow afternoon. Chattanooga holds the 18-9 advantage in the series, but Mercer has taken seven of the last nine against their foes from the Volunteer State.

New Season, New Bears
There will be plenty of new faces at Hawkins Arena for the 2021-22 season, as Mercer welcomes eight new student-athletes – Kinley Fisher, Endia Banks, Erin Houpt, Erin Gutierrez, Kassidy Jones, Nigeria Harkless, Ashlee Locke and Lauren McNamara-Clement – to campus.

Scouting the Mocs
Chattanooga comes into the matchup – like Mercer, with their SoCon opener pushed back – with a 2-13 mark in the season, which includes four common opponents with the Bears: Alabama, Kennesaw State, Tennessee State and UAB. Abbey Cornelius, the league's reigning Player of the Week, leads the Mocs with 205 points and averages 13.7 per contest. The junior forward has collected 141 boards, with 123 of those coming on the defensive end and blocked a team-high 19 shots.

Follow the Bears:
For complete coverage of Mercer 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.