Mercer University
8-1
Alcorn St.
0-7
Bears Breeze By Braves in 68-43 Victory on Saturday
12/5/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer University men's basketball team is off to its best start in program history since becoming an NCAA Division I member in 1973. The Bears handled Alcorn State by a final of 68-43 to move to 8-1 on the season and 5-0 at home.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bears were impressive from start to finish on Saturday, building a 19-point lead at the halftime break with a score of 36-17. The 17 points allowed were the second fewest given up in a half by Mercer this season.
The trio of Demetre Rivers, Jestin Lewis and Stephon Jelks combined for 25 of the 36 points with Rivers leading the way with nine points and Lewis and Jelks each adding eight. The Bears dominated the glass in the opening 20 minutes, outrebounding Alcorn State 20-9.
After opening up the large margin in the first half the Orange and Black coasted comfortably to the victory in the second stanza, outscoring the Braves 32-26 to secure the 68-43 victory, the team's eighth of the season.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Rivers turned in his best performance as a Mercer Bear on Saturday, notching career highs in points with 15 and rebounds with six. The sophomore's 15 points paced the team in scoring, marking the first time in his career that he has led the Bears in points. Rivers' six rebounds also tied for the team lead in rebounds. The guard finished 3-for-4 from the floor and an impressive 9-for-11 from the free throw.
MERCER STAT OF THE NIGHT
The Bears' defense has been great this season, but Mercer's defensive display on Saturday was on a whole new level. The Orange and Black held the Braves to 13-for-46 shooting in the game for a percentage of .283, the lowest mark by a Mercer opponent this season. Alcorn State's 43 points are the fewest the Bears have allowed during the 2015-16 season.
COACH HOFFMAN'S TAKE:
"We continue to find ways to get in transition. I'm just thrilled with the victory. We had multiple guys make plays for us to be successful tonight. [Jibri Bryan] hit his first three in his first game back which was special. He's been working hard. Jibri plays unbelievable defense."
NOTABLES
- Mercer's 8-1 start is the best in program history since becoming an NCAA Division I member in 1973.
- Mercer is now 64-9 at Hawkins Arena since the start of the 2011-12 season.
- The Bears have lost just once against a non-conference opponent in the regular season at Hawkins Arena since the beginning of the 2012 season and finish the 2015-16 non-conference slate undefeated.
- With the win Mercer is now 3-0 against Alcorn State in the all-time series.
- After a November to remember, Mercer has gotten its December off to a great start with a pair of blowout wins. The Bears are 2-0 this month, while sporting an impressive 30-point scoring margin in those two victories.
- Mercer once again controlled the glass in the win, posting a 37-23 advantage on the boards. The surplus in the rebounding margin is the eighth time this season the Bears have out-rebounded an opponent and the sixth time by double digits.
- Mercer moved to 7-0 when leading at the break, after taking a commanding 19-point advantage into halftime. The Bears knocked down five treys in the opening period, while recording a 13-2 surplus in second-chance points.
- Jestin Lewis reached double-figures for the second straight game and the fifth time this season, using multiple trifectas, the fifth time in 2015, to finish with 10 points on the night.
- Jordan Strawberry led the Bears in assists for the fourth time this year with five on the afternoon, his fifth time with five or more helpers. The sophomore also matched a career-high with two steals.
- Stephon Jelks filled up the box score in the Bears' record-breaking rout, tallying 10 points, six boards, four assists and two steals in the game.
- Jibri Bryan had an efficient seven points on 3-of-3 shooting in his first game in nearly a month. The senior, who has battled back from injury, also added one steal in 12 minutes of action.
- Rivers finished 9-for-11 from the free throw line and is now 19-for-22 from the line in the last two games combined.
RECORD UPDATE
Mercer improves to 8-1 on the season with the win and 5-0 when playing in Hawkins Arena, while Alcorn State falls to 0-7 on the year.
UP NEXT: Mercer has a week off to focus on finals and then hits the road before Christmas for a tough three-game stretch against schools from Power Five conferences. The Bears play at Auburn on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 9 p.m. EST and then at Arkansas on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. EST. The Orange and Black wraps up its trip at Ohio State on Tuesday, December 22 at 9 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.
