Mercer University
6-1
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Western Michigan
3-4
Mercer Defeats Western Michigan for Challenge in Music City Title
11/29/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
NASHVILLE – The Mercer University men's basketball team improved to 6-1 on Sunday evening after defeating Western Michigan 68-65 to claim the Challenge in Music City championship. The 6-1 start is the program's best in over 30 years, as the 1984-85 team began the year 7-1, led by Mercer legend Sam Mitchell. Senior guard Phillip Leonard was named the tournament MVP after an impressive three games in Nashville.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bears were locked in on the offensive end from the opening tip, knocking down 10 of their first 12 shots. Freshman forward Cory Kilby capped off the hot start with a three-point make to push Mercer's lead to 15 points at 27-12, the largest of the half. The Orange and Black made its first five shots from beyond the arc. Western Michigan fought back in the final 10 minutes, trimming Mercer's lead to eight at the half.
Nine different Mercer players scored in the first half, as the balanced attack shot 13-for-23 from the field in the opening 20 minutes. Sophomore forward Stephon Jelks led the Bears with six points, while Kilby, senior guard Jestin Lewis and sophomore guard Jordan Strawberry each added five points.
The Bears and Broncos battled the entire second half, with both teams refusing to give an inch. Western Michigan cut the lead to five a number of times but Mercer kept responding with baskets to extend the lead. With under two minutes left, the Broncos got the lead down to a one-possession game at 64-62. After Phillip Leonard hit one of two free throws to make it a three-point game with 11 seconds remaining, Western Michigan had a shot to send the game to overtime but it rimmed out and the Bears took the Challenge in Music City title.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Jelks led the Bears in scoring with 14 points and pulled down seven rebounds to propel the Orange and Black to the victory. The sophomore was efficient, scoring the 14 points on 5-for-8 shooting, including going 2-for-4 from distance and 2-for-2 from the free throw line. Jelks earned a spot on the All-Tournament team for his performance over the three games.
MERCER STAT OF THE NIGHT
The Bears shot 52.1 percent from the floor, the second best mark of the season for Mercer. The Orange and Black finished 24-for-46 from the field and 6-for-14 from distance. Ten players recorded makes from the field to contribute to the efficient evening. Seven Mercer Bears finished 50 percent or better from the field.
NOTABLES
- The 6-1 start to the season is the best since the 1984-85 team began 7-1.
- The Bears are the second team to go 3-0 at the Challenge in Music City in tournament history (Valparaiso 2014).
- With the win Mercer is now 1-0 against Western Michigan in the series history.
- Mercer shot 52.1 percent from the floor. This is the fourth time the Bears have shot above 50 percent in a game this season.
- The Bears outrebounded the Mountaineers 38-29, marking the sixth time this season Mercer has outrebounded an opponent.
- Jordan Strawberry's 10 points mark the second straight game the sophomore has reached double figures in scoring.
- Leonard's 10 points give him six games of double-digit scoring in seven games.
- Freshman Ethan Stair led the Bears in rebounding for the first time this season, posting a season-high nine rebounds.
- The Mercer bench scored 24 points and have now scored 20+ points in six games this season.
- Lewis grabbed a season-high six rebounds.
RECORD UPDATE
Mercer improves to 6-1 on the season with the win, while Western Michigan falls to 3-4 on the year.
UP NEXT
Mercer returns home for a pair of games on Wednesday, Dec. 2 against Hiwassee at 7 p.m. and then turns around to host Alcorn State on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 4:30 p.m.
STAY SOCIAL
For all the latest information and up-to-the-minute updates on Mercer men's basketball, please follow the team on Twitter at @MercerMBB.
