Mercer University
UNC Greensboro
Women's Basketball Begins Conference Play Thursday at Home Against UNCG
1/4/2023 4:15:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Tip off is at 7 p.m. on Thursday
GAMEÂ DAY INFO
UNCG (7-7, 0-0) at Mercer (4-9, 0-0)
Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023 | 7 p.m. ET
Macon, Ga. | Hawkins Arena
TV:Â ESPN+Â
Broadcaster: Jack Sadighian (PxP), Phil Cox (Color)
Radio: SportsMic with Rick Cameron
LAST TIME OUT
Anderson, 67, Mercer 62
Despite holding a 10-point halftime lead, the Mercer women's basketball team couldn't hold on to its lead in the second half as Anderson defeated the Bears 67-62 on Sunday afternoon from Hawkins Arena.
The Bears scored seven points in the third quarter, tied for their lowest points scored in a quarter this season. They were 3-for-16 (18.8 percent) from the field in the third quarter allowing the Trojans to get back in the game.
Turnovers hurt the Bears as they had 16 of them to Anderson's eight. The Trojans took advantage of Mercer's turnovers, outscoring the Bears 21-7 in points off turnovers.
Three Mercer players finished in double-figures in scoring, led by Erin Houpt who had 16 points, five assists and three rebounds. Amoria Neal-Tysor had 14 points with five assists and three rebounds and Brittany Reeves finished with 10 points and seven rebounds.
SCOUTING UNCG
UNCG is coming off a 9-19 season in 2021-22. The Spartans went 5-9 in conference play although they won three of their last four conference games in the regular season.
The Spartans were picked to finish seventh in the eight team league in the preseason coaches poll.
UNCG is second in the conference in points per game, averaging 68.9 points per game. However, that number is inflated after the Spartans scored 134 points and 100 points against Division III schools Virginia Univ. of Lynchburg and Guilford College.
The Spartans are last in the conference in field goal defense as opponents are shooting 42.8 percent from the floor against the Spartans this season. UNCG has not been effective from 3-point range this season as they are last in the conference at 27.8 percent from deep.
Forward Isys Grady was named to the Preseason All-Conference Team. Grady missed the first month of the season for the Spartans and has played in just five games this season, averaging 5.4 points and 6.0 rebounds.
UNCG's leading scorers are Akira Wiggins and Faith Price who are each averaging 10.4 points per game. However, they each are shooting under 40 percent from the field. Forward Khalis Cain leads the SoCon in rebounds per game (9.6 rpg).
SERIES HISTORY
This is the 20th all-time meeting between Mercer and UNCG. Mercer leads the series 16-3 and has won the last four meetings.
COACH GARNDER ONE WIN AWAY FROM 400 CAREER WINS
Mercer head coach Susie Gardner is one win away from earning her 400th career win as a Division I head coach.Â
STANDOUT STAT
Heading into conference play, the Bears have four players in the top-15 in the SoCon in FG% (min. 80 FGA): Dougherty, Neal-Tysor, Houpt, and Evans.Â
FOLLOW THE BEARSÂ
For complete coverage of Mercer Basketball, please follow the Bears on social media at @Mercer_WBB (Twitter),  /MercerWBB (Facebook) and @Mercer_wbb (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
