Bears Look to Sweep Nashville Trip

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Fresh off a win in its Atlantic Sun conference opener at Belmont, the Mercer women’s basketball team returns to action at Lipscomb on Saturday evening.  The game is slated for 5 p.m. and will be held at Allen Arena.

LAST TIME OUT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Mercer freshman Briana Williams netted a career high 32 points to lead the Bears to a 69-56 triumph over Belmont in Thursday night's Atlantic Sun women's basketball game.  The game, which marked the conference opener for both teams, was held at the Curb Event Center.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

Lipscomb returns four starters and ten letterwinners from last year’s team that finished 5-25 (3-17 A-Sun).  Lipscomb is currently 2-4 (0-0 A-Sun) after dropping a 69-60 decision to Central Arkansas on Nov. 29.

Guard Jenna Bartsokas was named to the A-Sun preseason all-conference team after leading the team in scoring (12.8 ppg) and assists last season (2.2 apg).

Junior guard Anna Bowers was named A-Sun Player of the Week on Nov. 23 after scoring 27 points against Alabama A&M.  Against the Bulldogs, Bowers set a program record with seven three-pointers.

GAME NOTES

If Mercer can top Lipscomb on Saturday, it would mark the third-straight season that the Bears started 2-0 in conference play. Last season, Mercer downed Lipscomb and Belmont at the University Center in its first two A-Sun games.

Mercer’s trip to Nashville marks a homecoming for head coach Susie Gardner. Gardner hails from Mount Juliet, Tenn., just 25 minutes from the city of Nashville.

Briana Williams dropped 32 points at Belmont, marking the highest scoring output for any A-Sun player this season. William’s 32 point effort came on five-of-eight shooting from three point range.