Mercer University
18-9, 8-6SoCon
Furman
17-11,11-4SoCon
Bears Downed by Furman's Strong Second Half, 85-74
2/13/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Mercer University men's basketball team fell at Furman on Saturday afternoon by a final score of 85-74 in Greenville, S.C. The Paladins used a 48-34 second half to pick up the victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bears got off to its hottest shooting start of the season on Saturday, connecting on each of their first eight attempts, including a 3-for-3 effort from beyond the arc. The Orange and Black led by as many as nine points at 21-12 with 13 minutes to play in the half.
The Paladins responded by scoring 10 of the next 12 points to cut Mercer's lead to one. From that point on the two teams battled back and forth for the remainder of the half, as Mercer took a 40-37 lead into the intermission. Stephon Jelks led the Bears with 11 points after the opening 20 minutes.
Furman came out strong in the second stanza, grabbing the lead at 44-43 just over two minutes into the half. Mercer trailed by four with 10 minutes to play and then the Paladins went on a 17-2 run over the next six minutes to put the game away.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Stephon Jelks scored a team-high 17 points to pace the Bears in scoring. The sophomore was extremely efficient, finishing 5-of-7 from the floor, including a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe. Jelks also grabbed three rebounds and dished out two assists.
MERCER STAT OF THE NIGHT
The Bears had their best first half of the year on the offensive end, shooting a season-best 64 percent from the field on 16-of-25 shooting. Mercer connected on its first eight shots, including makes from distance from Jelks, Demetre Rivers and Cory Kilby.
NOTABLES
- The Orange and Black are now to 9-8 in the all-time series with Furman.
- The Bears went 16-for-25 from the field in the first half for a shooting percentage of .640, the highest mark in a first half this season.
- Mercer totaled just seven turnovers, tying the second fewest amount on the season.
- Cory Kilby scored a career-high 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting and matched his personal best mark in rebounding by grabbing six boards.
- Jordan Strawberry finished with 15 points, posting double figures in scoring for the seventh time this year.
- Strawberry also swiped a career-high three steals.
RECORD UPDATE
Mercer drops to 18-9 on the season and 8-6 in SoCon play, while Furman is now 17-11 on the year and 11-4 in conference action.
UP NEXT
The Bears return to Hawkins Arena for their final home stand of the regular season. Mercer hosts Western Carolina on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 7 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.
