Mercer University
9-2
Arkansas
5-5
Mercer Outlasts Arkansas in Overtime Thriller for Big Road Win
12/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Mercer University men's basketball team pulled out a thrilling win 69-66 overtime win over Arkansas in Little Rock on Saturday evening to improve to 9-2 on the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
With the game tied at 63-63 in overtime and the clock winding down, sophomore Demetre Rivers came followed his missed jumper with a tip-in with 12 seconds left to give the Bears a 65-63 lead they would not relinquish. Arkansas had a three-pointer go in-and-out with six seconds left and the Orange and Black's Stephon Jelks hit four free throws in the final seconds to pull out the exhilarating victory over the Razorbacks.
After a defensive battle in the first half that led to a 19-17 Mercer lead through the opening 20 minutes, the offense came to life for both teams. The second stanza was filled with runs, as Arkansas opened the period outscoring Mercer 11-4 to take a 28-23 lead, its largest of the game. The Bears answered with a massive response of their own, ripping off 18 unanswered points over a seven-minute span to build a double-digit lead at 41-28 with less than 10 minutes to play.
The Hogs refused to go away, scoring 18 of the next 23 points to knot the game at 46-46 with 4:22 left in regulation. The two sides traded baskets the rest of the way and Mercer had a shot to win the game in regulation but a Phillip Leonard jumper was blocked in the final seconds, sending the contest to overtime.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Stephon Jelks was a beast for the Bears on Saturday evening, as the sophomore recorded his second consecutive double-double and fifth of the season. Jelks posted a career-high 20 points on 5-for-12 shooting from the floor, including a personal-best four makes from beyond the arc, and added a game-high 15 rebounds to complete the feat. The forward was involved in every facet of the game, as Jelks also posted a team-high three steals and added two blocks and an assist to complete his performance.
MERCER STAT OF THE NIGHT
The Orange and Black defense swarmed and stifled the Arkansas attack, as the Razorbacks matched their season-low point total with 66, although the previous mark came in regulation against Stanford (11/27). Mercer held the Hogs to 38.1 percent shooting, matching their second lowest output of the season.
COACH HOFFMAN'S TAKE
"We have been in every game this season and tonight I said we need to find a way to make the final play. Sure enough Jestin (Lewis) made a big shot to send the game to overtime and he, the smallest guy on the floor, got nine rebounds. That's a big heart. Jestin and Stephon Jelks just made play after play. It was a huge accomplishment for our team, our program, our university and we are blessed that we have been able to do this a few times. It's fun to get another one."
NOTABLES
- The win over Arkansas is the first in program history for the Bears, and they are now 1-4 against the Razorbacks.
- Mercer Head Coach Bob Hoffman now has 10 wins over high-major opponents in his eight seasons in Macon.
- The victory over the Hogs is Hoffman' sixth win over an SEC school. He has also defeated Auburn, Alabama (twice), Ole Miss and Tennessee.
- Jestin Lewis scored a team-high 21 points, marking his second straight game with 20+ points.
- Lewis also added a career-high nine rebounds in the victory.
- Saturday marked the first time this season two Mercer players scored 20+ points in the same game (Lewis 21, Jelks 20).
- Stephon Jelks notched his team-leading fifth double-double of the season with 20 points and 15 rebounds. The sophomore's 15 boards were the most of any player in the game.
- Jelks has recorded 30 rebounds in his last two outings and has three games of 15+ boards.
- Demetre Rivers' 15 points in the victory matched the sophomore's career best for the category.
- Desmond Ringer blocked a team-high three shots, matching his career high.
- The Bears knocked down a season-high 10 shots from beyond the arc in the winning effort.
- Mercer held Arkansas to its lowest first half point total of the season with 17. The Razorbacks previous low was 29 points against Akron (11/18).
RECORD UPDATE
Mercer improves to 9-2 on the season with the victory, while Arkansas falls to .500 at 5-5 on the year.
UP NEXT: Mercer wraps up its three game road trip before Christmas with a trip up north to take on Ohio State in Columbus. The game is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. EST and will be televised nationally on ESPNU.
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.
