SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Mercer forward Amanda Thompson has been named the Southern Conference player of the week for games played Dec. 18-23. The award is selected by the league office.

The senior averaged a double-double with 19 points and 14.5 rebounds as the Bears went 2-0 with wins at Howard and George Washington. In the 85-70 win over Howard on Dec. 18, Thompson scored a career-high 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting and pulled down a game-high 18 rebounds. She added two assists and two steals in 35 minutes. She became the first Bear to tally 15 points and 15 rebounds in a single contest since Teanna Robinson in 2014.

Three days later, she tallied another double-double. The Hayesville, North Carolina, native finished with with 17 points and 11 rebounds, both game highs. She also had five assists and four steals in 38 minutes.

The preseason all-conference selection leads the conference in rebounding (8.6 per game) and is third in steals (2.4 per game). Additionally, she is in the top 10 in scoring, field goal percentage, blocks, offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds, and minutes played.

Thompson and Bears return home to face UNC Asheville on Dec. 30.

Also nominated: Micah Scheetz (ETSU), Te’ja Twitty (UNCG), Ta’Naisha Hill (Samford), Judith Martin Ruiz (Western Carolina) and Chloe Wanink (Wofford).

SoCon Women’s Basketball Players of the Week

Nov. 13 - Chloe Wanink, Wofford, R-Jr.
Nov. 20 - KeKe Calloway, Mercer, Sr.
Nov. 27 - Jackie Carman, Wofford, Fr.
Dec. 4 – KeKe Calloway, Mercer, Sr.
Dec. 11 – Amanda Thompson, Mercer, Sr.
Dec. 18 – Nadine Soliman, UNCG, Jr.
Dec. 24 – Amanda Thompson, Mercer, Sr.

- www.SoConSports.com -