Gardner Leads Bears Against No. 25 Georgia

Athens, Ga. – On Tuesday night, Mercer head coach Susie Gardner leads the Bears in a non-conference road test at No. 25 Georgia.  Tuesday night’s matchup is slated for 7 p.m. and marks a homecoming for Gardner, who spent six years with the Lady Bulldogs as a player and graduate assistant coach.

LAST TIME OUT

Mercer freshman Brittnee Hazel had a career-high 21 points on eight-of-nine shooting from the field, but the Bears were defeated by Lipscomb, 67-57 in Saturday evening's Atlantic Sun conference women's basketball game at Allen Arena.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

Georgia welcomes Mercer to Stegeman Coliseum after most recently dropping a 69-53 decision at Georgia Tech on Dec. 5.  The Lady Bulldogs, who return three starters from last year’s team that finished 25-9, are currently 6-2 on the season.

Georgia was picked fourth among league competition in a preseason poll of SEC coaches.  Senior Porscha Phillips was named a preseason ALL-SEC first team selection while sophomore Jasime James garnered a preseason second-team selection.

With seven players over six feet tall, Georgia has the height advantage over most competitors.  The Lady Bulldogs currently lead the SEC in rebounding margin (13.2).

GAME NOTES

Briana Williams ranks third among Division I freshmen in scoring average, according to the most recent NCAA statistical report (Dec. 6).

After being outrebounded by double digits in each of its first four games, the Bears have won the battle of the boards in two of its last three games. Sophomore Sharmesia Smith has done most of the heavy lifting, leading the Bears in rebounds in four contests.

The series record between the two teams is a topic of debate, as both schools have confl icting records. Mercer records show the Lady Bulldogs with a 15-14 edge in the all-time series while Georgia records reflect a 15-12 advantage for Lady Bulldogs.