Mercer University
Western Carolina University
Women's Basketball at Western Carolina on Thursday
2/1/2023 5:10:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Tip off is set for 7 p.m.
GAMEÂ DAY INFO
Mercer (8-12, 4-3) at Western Carolina (9-13, 2-5)
Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023 | 7Â p.m. ET
Cullowhee, N.C. | McKenzie Arena
TV:Â ESPN+Â
LAST TIME OUT
Mercer 56, Furman 42
A strong defensive performance from the Mercer women's basketball team carried the Bears to a 56-42 win over Furman in Hawkins Arena on Saturday.
Mercer held Furman to its lowest point total through seven conference games at 42 points. The Paladins shot just 33 percent from the floor and 25 percent from three-point range.
Mercer forced 22 Furman turnovers, had eight steals, and outscored Furman 23-6 in points off turnovers.
Erin Houpt coming off a career high 31-point game against Wofford on Thursday was Mercer's leading scorer with 14 points, going 4-for-8 from three-point range. Enjulina Gonzalez had 13 points in the game going 6-for-14 from the field with four assists.
Summah Evans led Mercer's defense with nine rebounds (2 offensive and 7 defensive) along with two steals and a block.  Â
The Bears defense held Furman to 13-for-40 (32.5%) from the field and just 3-for-12 (25%) from behind the arc.Â
SCOUTING WESTERN CAROLINA
Western Carolina is coming off a 7-23 season in 2021-22. The Catamounts went 0-14 in conference
play.
The Catamounts were picked to finish last in the eight team league in the preseason coaches poll. Western Carolina is coming off a 56-48 win at
Chattanooga. The Catamounts led wire-to-wire and were led by their leading scorer Kyla Allison who had 20 points.
Allison leads the Catamounts at 13.6 points per game. She is shooting 40.1 percent from the field and is second in the SoCon in free throw percentage
at 90.2 percent. Western Carolina has had to rely on its defense this season, as they rank third in the SoCon in scoring defense, giving up just 62.5 points per game.
The Catamounts rank last in the conference in offensive and defensive field goal percentage in conference play. Western Carolina ranks third in the conference in
rebounding margin at +0.1 during conference play.
Western Carolina's leading rebounder is junior guard Joi Reid who averages 6.8 rebounds per game.
SERIES HISTORY
This will be the 27th meeting all-time between Mercer and Western Carolina. Mercer leads the series 25-1.
STANDOUT STAT
In two of Mercer's four conference wins, it has held its opponent to under 45 points (Western Carolina - 40, Furman - 42).
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. Â
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