Mershon is part of one of the team's most experienced groups. She has two years of Big Ten experience. Kadi Sissoko is in her third college year, her second season. And Laura Bagwell-Katalinich is a graduate transfer from Cornell. Center Klarke Sconiers is in her second season.
"I told them, 'We need you,'" Whalen said. "I'm leaning on those guys."
The group hasn't yet consistently carried over strong practices into games. Sissoko had back-to-back double-doubles against Wisconsin and Iowa, but has scored just 10 points on 3-for-15 shooting with five rebounds while battling foul trouble in the last two games.
Whalen would like Sissoko to finish better, Mershon to rebound more, Bagwell-Katalinich to score more.
"We have to keep pushing 'em," Whalen said. "They've played a lot of college basketball, so it's there."
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