Mercer University
18-12, 8-9
VMI
8-19, 3-13
Peterson's Big Night Leads VMI Past Mercer
2/25/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
LEXINGTON, Va. – The Mercer University men's basketball team suffered a 91-82 defeat at VMI on Thursday evening. The difference maker was VMI's QJ Peterson, who scored a career-high 46 points to deliver the Keydets a victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Keydets had a strong opening 20 minutes on the offensive end, particularly from beyond the arc. VMI connected on 10-of-20 threes in the first half to take an 11-point lead into the half at 44-33. Mercer was led on the offensive end by sophomore Stephon Jelks and senior Phillip Leonard, each scoring eight points.
Mercer got off to a strong start in the second stanza, opening the half with an 8-0 run to make it a one-possession game at 44-41. However VMI answered with seven straight points to increase its lead back to 10. The Bears made multiple runs in the second half to get within striking distance but were unable to tie the score or take the lead, as the Keydets continually responded when needed.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Stephon Jelks was a workhorse on Thursday evening for the Bears, scoring 14 points while leading the Orange and Black in rebounding with 12 boards for his SoCon leading 10th double-double performance of the season. Jelks finished 5-of-9 from the floor, including 3-for-5 from the three-point line.
MERCER STAT OF THE NIGHT
The Bears had a season-high six players finish in double figures in the scoring column at VMI. Leonard led the way with 16 points and Jordan Strawberry came off the bench to add 15. Jelks, Demetre Rivers, Ethan Stair and Lawrence Brown combined to score 46 points for Mercer.
NOTABLES
- The Orange and Black are now to 5-2 in the all-time series with VMI.
- Mercer outrebounded VMI 38-32, marking the 23rd time the Bears have grabbed more boards than the opposition.
- A season-high six players finished in double figures in points. Mercer has had 5+ players score in double figures three times this season.
- The Mercer bench scored 31 points in the game and has now scored 20+ points in 19 games this season.
- Strawberry's 15 points mark the ninth time he has finished with 10+ points on the year.
- Despite battling foul trouble, Demetre Rivers managed to score 10 points. He has now reached double digits in 14 games this season.
- Lawrence Brown reached double figures in scoring for the third time in his career and second straight game with 11 points.
- Phillip Leonard posted 10 points, marking the 18th time this season he has scored 10+ points in a game.
- Stair's 11 points mark the ninth time he has finished with 10+ points on the year.
- Stephon Jelks led the Bears in boards with 11. He has now recorded double-digit rebounds in 13 games during the 2015-16 campaign.
- Junior forward James Bento recorded a career-high six rebounds.
RECORD UPDATE
Mercer moves to 18-12 on the season and 8-9 in SoCon play, while VMI is now 8-19 on the year and 3-13 in conference action.
UP NEXT
The Bears will wrap up the regular season at UNCG on Sunday, Feb. 28 in Greensboro, N.C. The season finale is set to start 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.
