Mercer University
11-3, 1-0Socon
Samford
9-5, 0-1SoCon
Bears Blow By Bulldogs to 69-50 Victory in SoCon Opener
1/2/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer University men's basketball team got its Southern Conference season off on the right foot on Saturday afternoon, dismantling a very good Samford team in a 19-point win by a final score of 69-50.
HOW IT HAPPENED
In front of a sellout crowd of 3,715 fans, the fourth largest in Hawkins Arena history, the Bears put together one of their best halves of basketball in the opening 20 minutes, outscoring the Bulldogs by 21 points to take a 36-15 lead into the intermission. Through eight minutes of action Mercer held a one-point lead at 12-11 and then went on a 17-0 run over the next six minutes to take complete control of the game at 29-11. The Bulldogs never cut the Bears lead to single digits from that point on.
The Bears shared the ball really well and were patient against Samford's high-pressure defense, as five different players scored five or more points in the first 20 minutes. Jordan Strawberry led all Mercer players in the first half with seven points of 3-for-5 shooting off the bench.
The Orange and Black came out in the second half and made sure to keep the lead in hand. The closest Samford managed to get to the Bears in the second stanza was 15 points on numerous occasions but Mercer quickly extinguished any runs with made baskets and comfortably won by a final of 69-50.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Phillip Leonard was all over the court in Saturday's victory, as the senior filled up the box score. The point guard led the team in scoring for the team-best fifth time this season with 15 points on an efficient 4-of-6 shooting from the floor. Leonard also grabbed five rebounds, dished out a team-best five assists and notched two steals in the winning effort.
MERCER STAT OF THE NIGHT
The Mercer defense was locked in from the tip against Samford, stymieing the Bulldog attack for the entire opening minutes. The Bears allowed just 15 first half points, the fewest of any half this season for Mercer. Samford shot just 22.7 percent from the field on 5-of-22 shooting and 0-for-11 from three-point range.
COACH HOFFMAN'S TAKE
"Our guys stay connected. We played more zone than we would have liked to but we are finding ways to get it done. Our players and coaching staff are amazing. They continue to work together and get our minds right in the right time and place. It was a fun win. This is a great environment. We had no students here and still had an unbelievable sellout crowd. We need them to keep coming. They make a huge difference."
NOTABLES
- The Bears are now 62-45 against Samford in the all-time series.
- With the win, the Orange and Black have won five straight games against Samford.
- The Bears' 11-3 start to the season is the best during head coach Bob Hoffman's eight-year tenure.
- Mercer has now won five straight conference openers and is 2-0 all time in SoCon openers.
- The Bulldogs' 15 first half points are the fewest allowed in any Mercer game this season.
- The Bears have now held opponents to 50 or fewer points four times during the 2015-16 season.
- Mercer outrebounded the Bulldogs 39-25 and have now grabbed more boards than their opponents in 12 of 14 games.
- The Bears excelled from the free-throw line, going 15-for-17 on the day.
- The Orange and Black's bench outscored the Bulldogs 19-6 in the victory, with 17 of the points coming from Jordan Strawberry and Ethan Stair.
- Mercer dominated down low, outscoring the Owls 28-12 in the paint.
- Jelks was one rebound shy of his seventh double-double of the season, finishing with 12 points and nine rebounds.
- Leonard has now reached double figures in seven games this season.
- Sophomore Demetre Rivers scored 11 points and dished out a career-high four assists.
- Rivers has now scored 10+ points in eight games this season.
RECORD UPDATE
Mercer improves to 11-3 on the season and opens SoCon play 1-0 with the victory, while Samford falls to 9-5 on the year and 0-1 in conference action.
UP NEXT: The Bears are back on the road for a pair of Southern Conference games. Mercer will take on Chattanooga on Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. and then travel to Charleston, S.C., to face The Citadel on Saturday, Jan. 9 at 1 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.
