Saturday, January 21
Cullowhee, N.C.
2:00 PM ET
Mercer University
at
Western Carolina
Mercer Looks for Fresh Start at Western Carolina
1/20/2017 2:49:00 PM | Men's Basketball
CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Recent history has not been kind to Mercer but the Bears look to reverse those fortunes with a 2 p.m. game at Western Carolina on Saturday.
GAMEDAY DETAILS
Date: Saturday, Jan. 21 | 2 p.m.
Teams: Mercer (8-12, 2-5 SoCon) at Western Carolina (6-13, 1-5 SoCon)
Location: Cullowhee, N.C. | Ramsay Center (7,826)
TV: ESPN3 | Watch ESPN
TV Talent: Daniel Hooker (play-by-play), Jeff Bryson (analyst)
Radio: Mercer Sports Network (Flagship: 97.3 FM The Bull Icons) | iHeartRadio
Live Stats: GameTracker
Twitter Updates: @MercerMBB
Tickets: Click Here to Purchase
Game Notes: Mercer | SoCon | Western Carolina
Series History
Mercer is looking for a reversal of fortune as the Catamounts lead the all-time series, 7-4, and have won every meeting since Mercer joined the Southern Conference. The Bears are 1-3 all-time in Cullowhee.
Last Time Out
Jordan Strawberry scored 20 points and Ria'n Holland added 14 points - all of them in the second half - but Mercer fell prey to a game-winning 3-pointer as the Bears dropped a heartbreaker at UNCG, 68-66, Thursday night.
Diante Baldwin's 3-pointer with four seconds remaining lifted UNCG (15-5, 6-1 SoCon) to the win and a half-game up over second-place Chattanooga (5-1).
Marvin Smith hit a 3-pointer and after Mercer's Stephon Jelks missed two free throws, Baldwin drove to the hoop and tied the game at 64-all with 46 seconds left. Mercer lost the ball out of bounds and Baldwin hit his step-back 3-pointer from straightaway. Mercer's Demetre Rivers made two free throws and UNCG's Francis Alonso one for the final score.
Â
Â
The Last Time vs. Western Carolina
MACON, Ga. (AP) - Torrion Brummitt had 15 points and 10 rebounds as Western Carolina rallied in the second half to knock off Mercer 72-65 on Thursday night.
Brummitt was 6 of 12 from the floor. Justin Browning added 11 points and had three assists and three steals for Western Carolina (12-16, 7-8 Southern Conference), which has won four of its last five games, including a 67-61 win over conference leader Chattanooga on Feb. 11. Devin Peterson chipped in 11 points for the Catamounts.
Trailing 39-38 early in the second half, the Catamounts went inside for three straight layups to take a 44-42 lead with 16:04 left and pushed that to 60-53 with 6:05 remaining. Mercer never regained the lead. Western Carolina won the second half 39-31 after trailing 34-33 at the break.
Demetre Rivers had 19 points and Stephon Jelks added 17 for Mercer (18-10, 8-7), which has lost four straight.
Saturday in the Park
Saturday seems to be no walk in the park for Mercer. The Bears are currently 0-5 on Saturdays and are looking to notch their first Saturday win as the Bears visit Cullowhee.
Ria'n is More Reliable than A Rolex
Death, taxes and Ria'n Holland scoring 20-plus points. Like clockwork, these seem to be the three constants in life. Holland, who ranks third in the SoCon in scoring avaering 17.2 points per game, has registered eight games of 20 points or more. That ranks second in the SoCon (behind ETSU's T.J. Cromer) and just two behind likely All-American Malik Monk (Kentucky).
Finally, a Reprieve
While Western Carolina is a challenging opponent with recent success against Mercer, the Bears can take solace in one small fact - WCU is not sitting in first place in the SoCon. That makes Saturday's game only the second out of the last five that Mercer has not faced the league's top-ranked team. The only other exception to that was when the Bears visited second-place Samford on Jan. 11.
Mercer's Recent Schedule                                                     Â
More Than Just First Place Opponents
But this grueling stretch for Mercer extends beyond just facing the first place team. When the Bears played at UNCG on Thursday it marked the third time in four games that Mercer had faced a team ranked in the top 25 of the College Insider's Mid-Major Poll. The Spartans entered the rankings this week at No. 23 while Mercer has recently faced ETSU (12th) and Chattanooga (7th).
A Quartet of Mercer Tar Heels
Associate head coach Doug Esleeck made a return home Thursday as the High Point native attended North Carolina and spent a season in Greensboro as the Spartans' Director of Basketball Operations (2005-06).
But Doug Esleeck isn't the only one headed home as there are three Mercer players that hail from the Tar Heel State. Redshirt sophomore guard Ryan Johnson hails from Greensboro, specifically. A product of New Hope Christian Academy that is in his first year at Mercer, Johnson is making his first trip home while wearing the Orange and Black. He will be joined by two other North Carolina natives on the Mercer roster, Ria'n Holland (Fayetteville) and Jaylen Stowe (Harrisburg).
Does It Get Any Easier?
Bob Hoffman claimed before the season started that this might be Mercer's toughest schedule yet in his nine years in Macon. He might be right. Mercer's strength of schedule currently ranks 58th in the nation. Bears opponents have accumulated a record of 164-124 so far this season, a .569 winning clip.
Mercer's strength of schedule went as high as 16th in the country before facing Kennesaw State and starting conference play.
Sponsorship with Rolaids coming?
Because Mercer fans might need one. Mercer has already played in nine one-possession games this season (posting a 3-6 record) and suffered back-to-back heartbreaking losses. The first came at Auburn on Dec. 18 as the Tigers hit an off-balance fadeaway buzzer-beater for the win. Then, four days later, La Salle edged Mercer in triple overtime (98-96) on Dec. 22. That follows a two-point loss to Akron from the Savannah Invitational. The Bears finally got back on the right track on Dec. 28 with an 80-76 win at Kennesaw State.
Another pair of back-to-back heartbreaking losses came in conference play with a 70-68 loss to Chattanooga (Jan. 14) followed by a 68-66 loss at UNCG (Jan. 19).
Mercer in One-Possession Games (3-6)
Â
It's Nothing New
Close games seem to be the norm for the Bears. Mercer played in 10 games decided by one possession last season, posting a 7-3 record in those games. That adds to the growing number of close games this season (see above).
Close Games under Bob Hoffman (by season)
Â
How to Follow the Bears:
For complete coverage of Mercer Basketball, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerMBB (Twitter), /MercerBasketball (Facebook) and @Mercer_MBB (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
Â
GAMEDAY DETAILS
Date: Saturday, Jan. 21 | 2 p.m.
Teams: Mercer (8-12, 2-5 SoCon) at Western Carolina (6-13, 1-5 SoCon)
Location: Cullowhee, N.C. | Ramsay Center (7,826)
TV: ESPN3 | Watch ESPN
TV Talent: Daniel Hooker (play-by-play), Jeff Bryson (analyst)
Radio: Mercer Sports Network (Flagship: 97.3 FM The Bull Icons) | iHeartRadio
Live Stats: GameTracker
Twitter Updates: @MercerMBB
Tickets: Click Here to Purchase
Game Notes: Mercer | SoCon | Western Carolina
Series History
Mercer is looking for a reversal of fortune as the Catamounts lead the all-time series, 7-4, and have won every meeting since Mercer joined the Southern Conference. The Bears are 1-3 all-time in Cullowhee.
Last Time Out
Jordan Strawberry scored 20 points and Ria'n Holland added 14 points - all of them in the second half - but Mercer fell prey to a game-winning 3-pointer as the Bears dropped a heartbreaker at UNCG, 68-66, Thursday night.
Diante Baldwin's 3-pointer with four seconds remaining lifted UNCG (15-5, 6-1 SoCon) to the win and a half-game up over second-place Chattanooga (5-1).
Marvin Smith hit a 3-pointer and after Mercer's Stephon Jelks missed two free throws, Baldwin drove to the hoop and tied the game at 64-all with 46 seconds left. Mercer lost the ball out of bounds and Baldwin hit his step-back 3-pointer from straightaway. Mercer's Demetre Rivers made two free throws and UNCG's Francis Alonso one for the final score.
Â
Â
The Last Time vs. Western Carolina
MACON, Ga. (AP) - Torrion Brummitt had 15 points and 10 rebounds as Western Carolina rallied in the second half to knock off Mercer 72-65 on Thursday night.
Brummitt was 6 of 12 from the floor. Justin Browning added 11 points and had three assists and three steals for Western Carolina (12-16, 7-8 Southern Conference), which has won four of its last five games, including a 67-61 win over conference leader Chattanooga on Feb. 11. Devin Peterson chipped in 11 points for the Catamounts.
Trailing 39-38 early in the second half, the Catamounts went inside for three straight layups to take a 44-42 lead with 16:04 left and pushed that to 60-53 with 6:05 remaining. Mercer never regained the lead. Western Carolina won the second half 39-31 after trailing 34-33 at the break.
Demetre Rivers had 19 points and Stephon Jelks added 17 for Mercer (18-10, 8-7), which has lost four straight.
Saturday in the Park
Saturday seems to be no walk in the park for Mercer. The Bears are currently 0-5 on Saturdays and are looking to notch their first Saturday win as the Bears visit Cullowhee.
Ria'n is More Reliable than A Rolex
Death, taxes and Ria'n Holland scoring 20-plus points. Like clockwork, these seem to be the three constants in life. Holland, who ranks third in the SoCon in scoring avaering 17.2 points per game, has registered eight games of 20 points or more. That ranks second in the SoCon (behind ETSU's T.J. Cromer) and just two behind likely All-American Malik Monk (Kentucky).
Finally, a Reprieve
While Western Carolina is a challenging opponent with recent success against Mercer, the Bears can take solace in one small fact - WCU is not sitting in first place in the SoCon. That makes Saturday's game only the second out of the last five that Mercer has not faced the league's top-ranked team. The only other exception to that was when the Bears visited second-place Samford on Jan. 11.
Mercer's Recent Schedule                                                     Â
| Date | Opponent | Opp. Rank in SoCon |
| Jan. 2 | at Furman | T-1st |
| Jan. 5 | VMI | T-8th |
| Jan. 7 | ETSU | T-1st |
| Jan. 11 | at Samford | T-2nd |
| Jan. 14 | Chattanooga | T-1st |
| Jan. 19 | at UNCG | T-1st |
| Jan. 21 | at Western Carolina | T-9th |
More Than Just First Place Opponents
But this grueling stretch for Mercer extends beyond just facing the first place team. When the Bears played at UNCG on Thursday it marked the third time in four games that Mercer had faced a team ranked in the top 25 of the College Insider's Mid-Major Poll. The Spartans entered the rankings this week at No. 23 while Mercer has recently faced ETSU (12th) and Chattanooga (7th).
A Quartet of Mercer Tar Heels
Associate head coach Doug Esleeck made a return home Thursday as the High Point native attended North Carolina and spent a season in Greensboro as the Spartans' Director of Basketball Operations (2005-06).
But Doug Esleeck isn't the only one headed home as there are three Mercer players that hail from the Tar Heel State. Redshirt sophomore guard Ryan Johnson hails from Greensboro, specifically. A product of New Hope Christian Academy that is in his first year at Mercer, Johnson is making his first trip home while wearing the Orange and Black. He will be joined by two other North Carolina natives on the Mercer roster, Ria'n Holland (Fayetteville) and Jaylen Stowe (Harrisburg).
Does It Get Any Easier?
Bob Hoffman claimed before the season started that this might be Mercer's toughest schedule yet in his nine years in Macon. He might be right. Mercer's strength of schedule currently ranks 58th in the nation. Bears opponents have accumulated a record of 164-124 so far this season, a .569 winning clip.
Mercer's strength of schedule went as high as 16th in the country before facing Kennesaw State and starting conference play.
Sponsorship with Rolaids coming?
Because Mercer fans might need one. Mercer has already played in nine one-possession games this season (posting a 3-6 record) and suffered back-to-back heartbreaking losses. The first came at Auburn on Dec. 18 as the Tigers hit an off-balance fadeaway buzzer-beater for the win. Then, four days later, La Salle edged Mercer in triple overtime (98-96) on Dec. 22. That follows a two-point loss to Akron from the Savannah Invitational. The Bears finally got back on the right track on Dec. 28 with an 80-76 win at Kennesaw State.
Another pair of back-to-back heartbreaking losses came in conference play with a 70-68 loss to Chattanooga (Jan. 14) followed by a 68-66 loss at UNCG (Jan. 19).
Mercer in One-Possession Games (3-6)
| Date | Opponent | W/L | Score |
| Nov. 25 | vs. East Carolina | W | 70-66 |
| Nov. 26 | vs. Akron | L | 63-65 |
| Dec. 18 | at Auburn | L | 74-76 |
| Dec. 22 | La Salle | L (3OT) | 96-98 |
| Dec. 28 | at Kennesaw State | W | 80-76 |
| Jan. 2 | at Furman | L | 69-71 |
| Jan. 11 | at Samford | W | 68-65 |
| Jan. 14 | Chattanooga | L | 68-70 |
| Jan. 19 | at UNCG | L | 66-68 |
It's Nothing New
Close games seem to be the norm for the Bears. Mercer played in 10 games decided by one possession last season, posting a 7-3 record in those games. That adds to the growing number of close games this season (see above).
Close Games under Bob Hoffman (by season)
| 2016-17 | 9 |
| 2015-16 | 10 |
| 2014-15 | 11 |
| 2013-14 | 7 |
| 2012-13 | 5 |
| 2011-12 | 6 |
| 2010-11 | 8 |
| 2009-10 | 9 |
| 2008-09 | 7 |
How to Follow the Bears:
For complete coverage of Mercer Basketball, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerMBB (Twitter), /MercerBasketball (Facebook) and @Mercer_MBB (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
Â
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballMercer 38 | ETSU 34 Postgame Press Conference 9/27/25
Sunday, September 28
Mercer v. East Tennessee State Women's Soccer Highlight Reel: 9/26/2025
Saturday, September 27
Press Conference Mercer Football (Week 5 vs East Tennessee State)
Tuesday, September 23
Mercer 38, Citadel 0 | Postgame Press Conference (9/20/25)
Saturday, September 20
