Mercer University
3-0
Alabama State
1-2
Mercer Defense Stifles Alabama State in 70-49 Rout
11/19/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MACON, Ga. – Mercer played its most complete game of the young season on Thursday evening against Alabama State, winning by a final score of 70-49. The victory keeps Mercer's record perfect at 3-0.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bears were locked in from the opening tip on Thursday evening, playing its best 20 minutes of basketball this season. After holding on to a one-point lead at 12-11, Mercer broke the game open with an 11-0 run to go up 23-11 with just under six minutes left in the half. The Orange and Black finished the first frame strong, scoring the final 10 points to stretch its lead to 21 points and make the score 37-16 at the half.
Senior guard Phillip Leonard was the catalyst in the first 20 minutes, scoring nine points, including three impressive finishes at the rim, to lead all scorers. Sophomore Stephon Jelks impressed on the boards, grabbing 10 rebounds in just 13 minutes of action. The Bears shot 14-for-26 (.538) in the first half and outrebounded the Hornets 37-16.
Mercer protected its lead in the second stanza, never allowing the lead to drop under 16 points. Both teams totaled 33 points in the final 20 minutes, as the Bears cruised to the 70-49 blowout victory over Alabama State.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Stephon Jelks was a monster on the glass for the Bears on Thursday against the Hornets, hauling in a career-high 16 rebounds. Jelks' 16 boards are the most from a Mercer player since Daniel Emerson recorded18 rebounds against North Florida on Feb. 18, 2010. To go along with his staggering rebounding total, Jelks also scored 10 points to notch the first double-double of his career. The sophomore forward also added two assists to cap off his superb performance.
STAT OF THE NIGHT
The Mercer defense swarmed the Hornet offense the entire evening, not allowing the Alabama State players many open looks. The Bears held the visitors, a team that has already defeated Virginia Tech and played UAB, to a season-low 49 points on 16-of-52 shooting. The Hornets previous low score was 70 points. The Orange and Black defense was exceptional in the first half, holding Alabama State to 18.5 percent shooting from the floor, going 5-of-27. The Hornets only had six made field goals with 13 minutes remaining in the game.
HEAD COACH BOB HOFFMAN'S TAKE
"Our guys really respected [Alabama State]. We knew they were good and we were ready. Coach [Jarred] Merrill did a fantastic job on the scout and we had a staff meeting trying to figure out how to guard these guys because they are slippery. They are quick, athletic and offensive. I thought our game plan was great on the defensive end, especially in the first half. I was just really thrilled with everybody and the how they contributed to the success of what we were able to do tonight."
NOTABLES
- Hoffman claimed win number 148 during his Mercer tenure and passed Robert Wilder (147 wins) for second place on the Mercer all-time wins list.
- The Bears improve to 62-9 when playing in Hawkins Arena since the start of the 2011-12 season and have only lost one non-conference game at home since the beginning of the 2012 season.
- Mercer is now 1-0 against Alabama State in the all-time series.
- Four Mercer players tallied double figures in points, marking the second time this season the team has achieved the feat.
- The Bears mauled the Hornets on the glass, outrebounding the guests 49-23. The +26 rebounding margin is the largest of the season.
- 14 rebounds came of the offensive variety, tying the Bears' season high.
- The Orange and Black dominated the game down low, posting a 42-10 advantage in points in the paint.
- The Mercer bench did its part, outscoring the Alabama State backups 23-10.
- Leonard finished the evening with a team-high 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting and has reached double figures in all three games this season.
- Freshman Ethan Stair was second on the team in scoring with a career-high 12 points.
- Demetre Rivers matched his career high in points with 10 and has now reached double figures in back-to-back games.
- Rivers also finished 2-for-4 from beyond the arc and has made at least one three-pointer in all three games.
- Desmond Ringer was a force underneath, scoring a career-high nine points and matching his career high in rebounds with six.
UP NEXT
Mercer will hit the road for the first time this season, traveling to North Carolina to take on Davidson in a non-conference showdown on Monday, Nov. 23. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
STAY SOCIAL
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