Bears Host Keydets in SoCon Home Opener

MACON, Ga. – Mercer returns home to host VMI on Thursday evening as the Bears will host their first home conference game of the season at the raucous Hawkins Arena.

That home court advantage – where Mercer is 4-2 this year including a triple-overtime loss – could prove the difference maker as both teams look to secure their first league win of the young conference season.

GAMEDAY LINEUP
Date: Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017 | 7:30 p.m.
Teams: Mercer (6-9, 0-2 SoCon) vs. VMI (3-9, 0-1 SoCon)
Location: Macon, Ga. | Hawkins Arena (3,500)
TV: ESPN3 | Watch ESPN
TV Talent: Todd Wilson (play-by-play), Dean Keener (analyst), Megan Trammell (sideline)
Radio: Mercer Sports Network (Flagship: 97.3 FM The Bull Icons) | iHeartRadio
Radio Talent: Rick Cameron (play-by-play)
Live Stats: MercerBears.com/livestats
Twitter Updates: @MercerMBB
Tickets: Click Here to Purchase
Game Notes: Mercer | SoCon | VMI

Series History
Mercer owns a 5-2 advantage in the series but is looking to avenge a 91-82 loss in the last meeting between the two schools. That loss snapped a four-game winning streak in the series for Mercer.

Scouting VMI
VMI enters with a 3-9 mark overall and, like the Bears, is searching for its first SoCon win. QJ Peterson is second in the league as he averages 18.3 points per game and is fourth in rebounding, averaging 6.9 board per game.

Last Time Out
Jordan Strawberry led Mercer with 23 points and Stephon Jelks added 10 rebounds but the host Paladins rallied to defeat Mercer, 71-69, Monday night at Timmons Arena in Greenville.

Furman made five of six free throws in the last 34 seconds as part of 22 points from the charity stripe. Devin Sibley led the Paladins (9-6, 2-0 Southern) with 23 points.

Jordan Strawberry led Mercer (6-9, 0-2) with 23 points and twice pulled the Bears within a point late in the game - hitting a jumper to make it 63-62 and a 3-pointer making it 66-65 with 51 seconds left.

Home, Sweet, Home
As Mercer returns home to Hawkins Arena, the Bears are looking for their first win in Southern Conference play and a win in Mercer's first home conference game of the season. The Bears are 6-2 under Bob Hoffman in home conference openers and have won five straight of those contests, including a 90-81 win over VMI in Mercer's first home Southern Conference game. Additionally, the Bears are looking to avoid an 0-3 league start, something that has happened just once during Bob Hoffman's tenure (2010-11).

Mercer in Home Conference Openers under Bob Hoffman

Season	Opponent	Result	Score
2015-16	Samford	W	69-50
2014-15	VMI	W	90-81
2013-14	USC Upstate	W (OT)	62-60
2012-13	Stetson	W	70-64
2011-12	Fla. Gulf Coast	W	76-54
2010-11	ETSU	L	61-62
2009-10	Lipscomb	L	89-98
2008-09	USC Upstate	W	74-64

Sponsorship with Rolaids coming?
Because Mercer fans might need one. Mercer has already played in six one-possession games this season (posting a 2-4 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.

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).

Peachy-Keen Against In-State Competition
Entering the 2016-17 season, Mercer had won more games and more games per year over the last five years than any other Division I school in the state of Georgia. The Bears seem to be extending that streak of success against in-state schools as the Dec. 28 win over Kennesaw State put the Bears at 2-0 against Division I teams from Georgia this year.

Taking Care
Early this season Mercer is one of the better teams in the nation in taking care of the ball. Entering this week's games, the Bears are ranked 34th nationally and first in the Southern Conference in turnovers per game. Mercer is only giving away the ball at a rate of 11.4 per game, one of the best marks in the nation.

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.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Stephon Jelks

Jordan Strawberry

Footer

Mercer University Athletics