Mercer Battles Wisconsin in Vanderbilt Thanksgiving Tournament

MACON, Ga. (MERCER RELEASE) – The Mercer women’s basketball team will play in its first regular season tournament since the 2006-07 campaign when it takes part in the Vanderbilt Thanksgiving Tournament on November 29 and 30 in Memorial Gym on the campus of Vanderbilt University.

Mercer (3-2) takes on Big 10 member Wisconsin in the first round of the tournament on Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m. and will play either host school Vanderbilt or Elon on Nov. 30 depending on the results of both contests.

Friday’s meeting between the Bears and Badgers will be the first in series history while Mercer’s participation in the Vanderbilt Thanksgiving Tournament is its first action in a regular season tournament since the Mercer Blade Holiday Classic in December of 2006.

Scouting the Opposition

Wisconsin enters the Vanderbilt Thanksgiving Tournament with a 3-1 overall record after most recently suffering its first loss of the season in a 70-62 defeat at Alabama on Nov. 21. The Badgers return four starters back from last year’s team that went 12-19 overall. Wisconsin is led by third-year head coach Bobbie Kelsey, who employs a balanced offensive attack with five players averaging 10.0 points per game or higher. Junior Michala Johnson paces the Badgers averaging 13.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.

Last Time Out

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer women’s basketball team improved its record to 3-0 at home this season following a 71-67 Homecoming Game win over Furman on November 24 at Hawkins Arena.

Four players scored in double-figures for the Bears led by junior Precious Bridges game-high 24 points, her second-straight 20-plus scoring outing.

In a see-saw second half that saw five lead changes over a 14-minute span, a pair of free throws by junior Teanna Robinson made the score 59-57 Mercer with 5:15 left in the second half.

The Bears would hold onto the lead for the remainder of the contest, using some clutch jumpers by Grant and late free throws by Bridges to pull out the win.

Game Notes

– Mercer will officially join the Southern Conference in July of 2014, but it’s already getting itself acquainted with its new league quite nicely. The Bears are 2-0 against SoCon schools so far in the 2013-14 season with home wins over Western Carolina and Furman and still have contests scheduled against Georgia Southern on Dec. 4 and at Samford on Dec. 7.

– The Bears posted an 11-6 record at home in 2012-13 and so far in 2013-14, Hawkins Arena has proven to be just as friendly to the Bears. Mercer is already 3-0 at home this season with triumphs over Western Carolina, Troy and Furman. Dating back to last season, Mercer is 10-3 in its last 13 home games.