University of North Florida
Mercer
UNF Hits the Road for Mercer
1/21/2011 4:44:38 PM | Women's Basketball
MACON, Ga. – The University of North Florida women's basketball team heads to Macon, Ga. on Saturday, Jan. 22 to face Atlantic Sun Conference foe Mercer in a 2 p.m. contest at the University Center on the MU campus.
UNF (5-11, 3-4 A-Sun) is riding a three game win streak into the game and defeated East Tennessee State, 65-62 the last time out. Junior guard Brittany Kirkland had 25 points in the game, marking her second straight game with 20 or more points. Sophomore Larkira Jones had an all-around game, recording her second double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds. She also added five blocks and three steals.
Kirkland leads the team on the season, averaging 15.6 points per game. Sophomore Taylor Smith is adding 8.0 points per game while senior Juliemay Syquio is chipping in 7.5 points per game. Jone is grabbing a team-high 7.4 rebounds per game while blocking a league-best, 1.9 shots per game.
The Bears (1-15, 1-6 A-Sun) fell on the road to Florida Gulf Coast, 87-52 in their last outing. Briana Williams leads Mercer this season with 15.4 points per game. Brittnee Hazel is adding 9.9 points per game. Sharmesia Smith is grabbing a team-best, 6.7 rebounds per game.
UNF leads the all-time series with a 6-5 series record. The Bears picked up two wins last season, but UNF defeated Mercer in the last meeting, 55-40 during the first round of the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship. Kirkland averaged 13.7 points per game against MU last season and turned in a 25 point performance in the last meeting. Syquio averaged 11.0 points and 4.7 rebounds against the Bears in 2009-10.
Following Saturday's game, the Ospreys will continue their trip through Georgia, playing Kennesaw State at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 24.
