Game of Growth

Saturday, February 5

Johnson City, TN

Noon

Mercer University

15-6,8-1SoCon

ETSU

3-18,2-6SoCon

Mercer

ETSU

Photo by: Mitch Robinson

2/5/2022 3:06:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

47-point first half carries Bears to road win at ETSU

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Following a close win over Chattanooga on Thursday evening, Mercer did not waste any opportunities in their matchup over ETSU in Johnson City on Saturday, taking an 82-48 game. Mercer (15-6, 8-1 SoCon) shot nearly 50% (49.2) from the field and 68.8% (11-for-16) from beyond the arc against the host Bucs (3-18, 2-6).

Amoria Neal-Tysor and Erin Houpt continued their hot streaks in conference play, as they combined for 51 of Mercer's 82 points on the afternoon. The duo sank a combined 11-of-13 from long distance, and Houpt notched seven for the second time in three conference clashes. Neal-Tysor scored 29, collected four rebounds, swiped a pair of steals and blocked a shot. Houpt tallied 22, added an assist and stole a possession. Shannon Titus etched 18 onto the scorebook, collected nine boards, blocked four shots, tallied three assists and swiped three steals.

How it Happened
The Bears raced out to an early lead, taking 12 of the game's first 16 points, which included a 9-0 scoring run. Neal-Tysor tallied 18 of her 29 points in the opening stanza, which featured a trio of three-pointers that totaled to 10-of-11 from the field in the first. Titus and Endia Banks combined for the Bears' remaining five points as they took a 23-14 lead into the second.
After a quiet first quarter, Houpt notched 10 points - with nine coming via the three-pointer, and the remaining one came to cap off a four-point play – to lead Mercer in the second. Neal-Tysor followed up the first with a seven-point quarter while Titus added five points and four boards to finish the first half with eight points and six rebounds.

As a team, Mercer carried a 47-22 advantage into the intermission.

ETSU's Carly Hooks led the Bucs with 11 points through the game's initial 20 minutes.

Titus hit four from the field to total eight in the third frame. Houpt connected a pair of 3s for six points and registered a steal, before connecting on two more in the fourth. Nigeria Harkless tallied five in the final frame, as well as collecting a defensive board.

Quotables – Head Coach Susie Gardner
On the offensive production and overall offensive efficiency
"It was our best all-around game this year. We shot the ball well, we focused on our defense and defended well. We were able to get out and run and got to share the ball. I saw a lot of growth. We've really emphasized how we had the lead going into the second, the half and we talked about not relinquishing it. We showed a lot of growth, and we need to continue to maintain that."

On the production from Neal-Tysor, Houpt and Titus
"Amoria has been in the league for four years. She's been known to get hot in game but started off a little bit slower this year when we moved her to the point. Houpt has been a great shooter since she's been on campus. We were just great from three today as a program. We can't forget Shannon who quietly had 18 points and played a great defense."
On the team's preparedness
"It was a great team effort. I feel like our scout team prepares us every day. Our assistant coaches are doing a great job. It felt good today."

Notables
• Erin Houpt has now made seven threes in two of the last three contests and scored in double-digits in three straight
• The 8-1 league start is the best for the Bears since the 2018-19 squad, which finished 14-0 in SoCon play
• Mercer eclipsed its previous season-high in points in a single contest
• The Bears are 13-3 (.813) when shooting 40-49% from the field

Up Next
The final homestand for the Bears starts on Thursday, Feb. 10 when Mercer welcomes Western Carolina to Hawkins Arena for a 7 p.m. contest.

Follow the Bears:
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