Game Notes

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer women's basketball team is back in action on Saturday, hosting USC Upstate at the University Center at 2 p.m.

Mercer (3-20, 1-11 A-Sun) aims to avenge a 77-56 loss to USC Upstate earlier this season on January 9, 2011 in Spartanburg, S.C.  In that game, junior Ry'van Buchanan scored a team-high 16 points and collected five rebounds, two steals and a career-high five blocks.

COVERAGE

Saturday's game will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1670 with play-by-play provided by the "Voice of the Bears", Rick Cameron.  Click the "audio" link above to access an internet feed of the broadcast.  Video web streaming of the game will also be available via A-Sun TV.

SCOUTING THE SPARTANS

USC Upstate is 6-16 (5-6 A-Sun) after falling to Kennesaw State 54-45 on Thursday night. The loss to Kennesaw snapped a season-high four-game winning streak for the Spartans.

Junior guard Tee'Ara Copney ranks fourth among active A-Sun players in career points (1,113). This season, she paces the Spartans at 15.3 points per game, ranking second among A-Sun scoring leaders.

USC Upstate is 2-11 in road games this year with wins coming at North Florida on January 14, 2012 (58-57) and at UNC Asheville on November 30, 2011 (73-66).

In the most recent NCAA statistical summary, the Spartans ranked eighth in the country in free-throw percentage. As a team, USC Upstate has con­nected on 285 of their 365 attempts from the charity stripe (78.1%).

GAME NOTES

Sharmesia Smith had five steals on Thursday night against ETSU. Her five steals were a career-high and also tied a Mercer season-high.  Sharnea Boykin had five steals at Davidson on November 14, 2011.

The all-time series between the teams is tied, 5-5.  The Spartans have bested the Bears in each of the last four meetings and have not been defeated by Mercer since January 14, 2010.