Bears Open Play in Asheville

Thursday, March 3

Asheville, N.C.

11 a.m.

Mercer University

Western Carolina

Photo by: James Thomas

3/2/2022 2:51:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Mercer to meet Western Carolina in first round

MACON, Ga. – The top-seeded Bears will begin March with the opening game of the 2022 Ingles SoCon Women's Basketball Championship on Thursday, March 3 at the Harrah's Cherokee Center.

BEAR NECESSITIES
Teams: Mercer Bears (20-6, 13-1) vs. Western Carolina Catamounts (7-22, 0-14 SoCon)
Date: Thursday, March 3, 2022 • 11 a.m.
Location: Asheville, N.C. • Harrah's Cherokee Center
TV: ESPN+
Radio: 100.9 "The Creek" / Sports Mic
Radio Talent: Rick Cameron
Twitter Updates: @Mercer_WBB
Notes: Western Carolina | Mercer

Six Honored by SoCon
Super senior Shannon Titus, seniors Amoria Neal-Tysor and Jaron Dougherty, freshmen Erin Houpt and Nigeria Harkless & Head Coach Susie Gardner were all honored by the SoCon. Titus became the first ever to be named the Defensive Player of the Year on three occasions, in addition to being placed on the First Team and the Defensive Team. Neal-Tysor was Mercer's other inclusion on the First Team, and Dougherty was named to the Second Team. Houpt, the conference leader in 3s, was named Freshman of the Year and to the All-Freshman Team, along with Nigeria Harkless. Coach Susie Gardner was named the league's Coach of the Year for the fourth time.

Last Time Out
A 64-55 win over Samford in Birmingham wrapped up the regular season for Mercer. Shannon Titus led the Orange & Black with 20 points and five rebounds, three assists and a steal. Neal-Tysor and Dougherty followed with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Series History
Mercer and Western Carolina will meet for the 25^th time when they face off in the Harrah's Cherokee Center. The Bears hold a 23-1 advantage in the series over the Catamounts and took both meetings this season. In Asheville, Mercer leads 3-0, all of which came in the quarterfinal round.

Scouting the Catamounts
Western Carolina is coming off a 7-22 mark in their regular season, with a 0-14 record in league play. In their penultimate game, they knocked off Emory & Henry by a 42-39 scoreline. The Catamounts are led offensively by Zanoria Cruz and Nadia Marshall.

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.