MACON, Ga. – After wrapping up its non-conference slate last week, the Mercer women’s basketball team resumes its Atlantic Sun schedule on Monday, hosting East Tennessee State at 5 p.m. in the University Center.

LAST TIME OUT

ATLANTA, Ga. – Freshman Briana Williams scored a team-high 12 points as the women’s basketball team fell  to Georgia Tech, 101-44 on Tuesday  night at Alexander Memorial Coliseum.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

ETSU enters Monday’s game with a 4-7 (1-1 A-Sun) record after suffering an 83-66 defeat at Virginia on Dec. 29.   The Lady Bucs return three starters from last year’s team that finished 23-9 (18-2 A-Sun).

ETSU was picked second among A-Sun competition in a preseason poll of both the media and the league’s coaches. 

Senior guard Tara Davis was selected as a A-Sun preseason all-conference team member and was named conference Player of the Week on Nov. 16.

GAME NOTES

Briana Williams leads the team in scoring, but Macon native Kendra Grant has been the primary scorer for the Bears in home games this season.  Grant has scored a team-best 50 points in Mercer’s three home games (16.7 ppg).

Mercer and ETSU are the top two A-Sun teams in overall attendance this season.  Mercer is averaging 1,270 fans per contest while ETSU is drawing a league-best 3,143 fans per game.

ETSU has claimed victories in its last three meetings with Mercer.  The last time Mercer topped the Lady Bucs was Feb. 28, 2009.

The Lady Bucs have the second-best RPI in the Atlantic Sun, checking in at No. 137 according to CollegeRPI.com.  FGCU boasts the top RPI spot in the league at No. 60.

Mercer aims to snap a five-game losing streak Monday.  If the Bears can top ETSU, it will mark the third-straight season Mercer has gone 2-1 in its first three league games.