Bears Host Jackson State In Merrie Christmas Project Game

MACON – The Mercer women's basketball team will play the first of two home games in three days on Thursday when the Bears suit up to battle Southwestern Athletic Conference foe Jackson State in Hawkins Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Fans unable to make the trip to Macon, can still follow the action for free via a live statistics link provided by the TU athletics department. The game is also scheduled to be broadcasted live on ESPN+. The game is also scheduled to be broadcasted live on ESPN+, as well as on the Sportsmic App with veteran broadcaster Rick Cameron handling the play-by-play duties.

Thursday's contest will mark the final leg of a two-game partnership with the United Way of Central Georgia's Merrie Christmas Project as well.

ABOUT THE GAME
Date: Thursday, December 19 Time: 7 p.m. ET Location: Macon, Ga. I Hawkins Arena TV: ESPN+ Live Statistics: MercerStats.com Twitter Updates: @Mercer_WBB

ABOUT THE BEARS
Despite forcing 20 turnovers, including 13 in the first half alone, Mercer (4-8) dropped its third-straight game with a 73-46 setback at Tulane on Sunday. Junior Ariana Bennett scored eight of her team-high 12 points in the second half on Sunday, while also matching a team-high with seven rebounds as well. Bennett is one of just two players (Ashlee Locke) to start all 12 games for the Orange & Black this season, and has responded by producing a team-best 9.4 points per game in 30.5 minutes an outing. The Edwardsville, Ill., native complements her scoring numbers with 4.6 boards and 1.1 steals an outing as well. The Bears have forced nearly 15 turnovers per game (14.8) over their last four outings, while also averaging nearly 10 points (9.5) off turnovers over that stretch as well. Mercer has committed a Southern Conference-low 14.3 fouls per game so far this season, and will bring the SoCon's second-best free throw-shooting (73.1 percent) squad into its home stand as well. Mercer has played just one previous game against Jackson State – an 80-48 home win over the Tigers on Nov. 21, 2014. The Bears outscored their visitors, 46-26, in the second half of that contest, while also registering a 55-38 advantage in the rebounding column.

ABOUT JACKSON STATE
Jackson State (1-8) has dropped seven-straight games since toughing out a 55-48 road win over East Tennessee State on November 9 in Johnson City, Tenn. The Tigers fell on the wrong end of an 81-43 result against Minnesota on December 11 in Minneapolis, Minn. Senior guard Taleah Dilworth leads the scoring charge for the Tigers, averaging 14.2 points per game through nine outings on the strength of 48 percent field goal shooting. Dilworth has tacked up 22.0 points per game on 55.3 percent shooting over the last four games, including a 17-point showing in the loss at Minnesota. JSU has been out-rebounded in seven of its eight contests this season, and will bring a -11.8 rebounding margin into Thursday's contest with the Bears. The Tigers do, however, showcase the SWAC's third-best free throw-shooting squad (67.1 percent), and have forced 17.1 turnovers per game this season as well.

ON DECK
The Bears will get a short rest after Thursday's contest before jumping back into action on Saturday with a home tilt against Appalachian State (3-6). Tipoff for Saturday's contest has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by visiting MercerBears.com/Tickets.

FOLLOW THE BEARS
For complete coverage of Mercer Basketball, follow the Bears on social media at @Mercer_WBB (X/Twitter), /MercerWBB (Facebook) and @Mercer_wbb (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.

Bears Host Jackson State In Merrie Christmas Project Game

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Players Mentioned

Ariana Bennett

Ashlee Locke

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