Mercer University
7-1
Hiwassee
4-7
Bears Dominate Tigers to Match Best Start in 31 Seasons
12/2/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer University men's basketball matched its best start in 31 years on Wednesday evening with its 82-47 win over Hiwassee to improve to 7-1 on the year. The last time the Bears started 7-1 was during the 1984-85 season when Sam Mitchell also led the program to a 7-1 start.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bears methodically built their lead in the first half to as many as 13 points at 22-9 at the 9:03 mark. The two sides played fairly even for the remainder of the frame, as Mercer held a 12-point lead with the score 38-26 at the half.
Senior guard Jestin Lewis led all scorers at the break, scoring 11 points on 4-for-5 shooting, including a 2-for-3 effort from beyond the arc. Sophomore guard Demetre Rivers and freshman guard Ethan Stair each added six points.
The Bears came out and imposed their will in the second half, outscoring the Tigers 44-21 in the final 20 minutes of the game. After leading by 11 at 48-37 with 13 minutes left in the game, Mercer took off on a 28-6 run over the next nine minutes to put the game away. The Orange and Black went on to win by a final of 82-47.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Lewis matched his season high in points with 17 against Hiwassee on Wednesday evening. The senior finished 6-for-10 from the floor and 4-for-8 from downtown to lead the team in scoring. The four makes from beyond the arc are the most by a Mercer player this season. Lewis also grabbed three rebounds and recorded an assist and a steal in just 25 minutes of action.
MERCER STAT OF THE NIGHT
The Bears showed why they are the best rebounding team in the SoCon on Wednesday, dominating the glass from start to finish. Mercer doubled up Hiwassee in rebounds by a mark of 54-27. The 54 rebounds are a season high for the Bears. The Orange and Black had 12 different players record at least one rebound, with 11 grabbing multiple boards. Sophomore forward Desmond Ringer led the team with eight rebounds and the freshmen duo of Ethan Stair and Cory Kilby each added six.
COACH HOFFMAN'S TAKE:
"Ethan Stair is a special player, he continues to do amazing things. The tip-dunk he got tonight was special. He got a lot of his baskets in transition from others. Jestin Lewis can get going, we need him to get hot more nights, and I think he will in what we are trying to accomplish. Desmond Ringer had a big night down low with eight rebounds. He also got three blocks. He's really important to the success of this team. Then Lawrence Brown came off the bench and was 4-for-4 from the field with some easy baskets."
NOTABLES
- Mercer's 7-1 start matches the best start to a season in 31 years, joining the 1984-85 team led by the legendary Sam Mitchell.
- With a win on Saturday, the Bears would be off to the best start since the team went 9-1 during the 1966-67 season and their best start ever since becoming an NCAA Division I program.
- The Orange and Black defense was stout against the Tigers, allowing a season-low 47 points. Hiwassee shot just 32.2 percent from the field and 19.0 percent from distance.
- The Bears outrebounded the Tigers 54-27, marking the sixth time this season Mercer has outrebounded an opponent.
- Mercer assisted on 22 of its 25 made field goals, marking the second highest total of the season. The 11:4 assist-to-turnover ratio is the best of the season for the Bears.
- A season-high 13 players scored in the win over Hiwassee.
- Mercer has now recorded 50+ rebounds in three games this season.
- The Bears' bench scored 38 points on Wednesday, the second highest total of the season. The Mercer bench has now outscored its opponent's bench in seven of eight games this season.
- Demetre Rivers' scored 10 points, matching a career high. All of Rivers' points came from the free throw line as the sophomore went 10-for-11 from the stripe.
- Rivers knocked down two three-pointers in the first half and has recorded a three-point make in all six games this season.
- Ethan Stair scored 11 points to finish in double figures for the fourth time this season and added a career-high three steals to lead the team in the category.
- Jordan Strawberry led the team in assists with six, a mark that ties his career high.
- Ringer matched his career high in blocks with a team best three against Hiwassee.
- The Mercer bench impressed once again on Friday, outscoring Appalachian State 20-11 and has outscored its opponent in every game this season.
- With the win Mercer is now 1-0 against Hiwassee in the series.
RECORD UPDATE
Mercer improves to 7-1 on the season with the win and 4-0 when playing in Hawkins Arena, while Hiwassee falls to 4-7 on the year.
UP NEXT: Mercer is back in action on Saturday, Dec. 5 for a game against Alcorn State. The game is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. in Hawkins Arean.
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.
