University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women vs. Mercer at McKenzie Arena
Time: 2 p.m.
Video/radio: ESPN3/98.1 FM
Likely lineups (with heights and scoring averages in parentheses)
UTC (12-14, 7-4 Southern Conference)
Projected starters: G Lakelyn Bouldin (5-8, 13.0); G Brooke Burns (5-10, 7.9); F Bria Dial (6-0, 4.7); G Morgan Hill (5-10, 4.3); F Arianne Whitaker (6-2, 6.6).
Key reserves: F Rochelle Lee (6-3, 3.8); F Eboni Williams (6-0, 7.4).
MERCER (19-7, 11-0)
Projected starters: G Keke Calloway (5-9, 17.7); G Linnea Rosendale (6-1, 9.7); C Rachel Selph (6-3, 8.2); F Amanda Thompson (5-10, 13.7); G/F Shannon Titus (5-11, 12.0).
Key reserves: G Tia Benvenuti (5-9, 1.3); F Ally Welch (5-11, 1.8).
MOCS REPORT
UTC snapped a three-game losing streak with Thursday’s 61-56 home win over Samford. It came behind a balanced scoring attack as Bouldin, Whitaker and Williams netted 12 points each and Hill, back in the starting lineup, added 10. Molly Melton missed the game due to injury, with freshman point guard Pare Pene playing a season-best 14 minutes. The Mocs won despite committing 21 turnovers. Mercer, which is alone atop the Southern Conference standings, beat UTC 65-58 on Jan. 24 in Chattanooga, holding Bouldin and Williams to a combined nine points and outrebounding the Mocs by 11.
BEARS REPORT
Mercer clinched at least a share of its fourth consecutive regular-season league title with an 83-77 overtime win at East Tennessee State on Thursday. Titus scored a career-high 27 points – topping the 24 she had in last month’s win over UTC – and scored all eight of the Bears’ OT points. The win, which gives Mercer a 31-game league winning streak, came despite the Bears being outrebounded by 18.
KEY MATCHUP
Keeping Callaway under control was not the problem when the Mocs lost to Mercer last month. It was keeping Thompson off the glass – despite being outsized inside, she had 16 rebounds. The Bears get very little production from their bench – their reserves scored just two points Thursday – so working to get them in foul trouble could be part of UTC’s game plan. The Mocs will definitely need to cut down on turnovers and make Mercer earn its points.