Tuesday, November 14
Macon, Ga.
7 P.M.
Mercer University
2-1
86
vs
58
Jackson State
1-1
1
2
F
Jackson State
38
20
58
Mercer
43
43
86
Team Stats
JKSTM
MER
FG%
.431
.509
3FG%
.320
.353
FT%
.750
.815
RB
25
35
TO
15
7
STL
4
11
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
19
FGM
7
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballMercer Runs Past Jackson State 86-58 Tuesday Night at Hawkins Arena
11/14/2017 10:07:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MACON, Ga. –All five starters on the Mercer men's basketball team scored in double figures, as the Bears defeated Jackson State 86-58 Tuesday night at Hawkins Arena.
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Mercer clung to a 43-38 halftime lead but came out strong following the break to outscore the visiting Tigers 43-20 to post the 28 point victory. Senior guard Ria'n Holland continued to pace the Bears' offensive attack as he tallied a team-high 19 points on 7-11 shooting from the field, including 2-3 from behind the three point line. Holland also led the Bears in assists (5) and steals (5).
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Senior Desmond Ringer turned in an impressive performance with 14 points and seven rebounds. Also scoring in double figures were seniors Jordan Strawberry (13), Stephon Jelks (11) and Demetre Rivers (11).
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The Bears shot 51% from the floor and 81.5% from the free throw line. Jackson State was led in scoring by Maurice Rivers, who went for 19 points coming off the bench.
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Mercer improves to 2-1 on the season while Jackson State falls to 1-1.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Senior guard Ria'n Holland was the player of the game for the Bears, dropping a team-high 19 points going 7 for 11 from the field. Holland also tallied six rebounds, five assists, and five steals on the evening. The 6-0 native of Fayetteville, N.C., has made all 14 of his free throw attempts this season.
STAT OF THE GAME
The battle inside the paint was the biggest factor in the game. The Bears scored more than half their total points inside the paint (44) while only allowing their opponent 14.
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QUOTABLES
"Any game will be a good learning experience when someone tries to take something away from us and they tried to take Ria'n (Holland) away; they played no catch and we talked about how they were going to do that. I was thrilled with how Ria'n handled himself and kept his cool; because that's very difficult when someone is playing no catch and is all over you the whole time. I loved how he maintained his composure and we were able to do some other things with him. We used him as a screener and were able to get a few layups early on. Then as the game progressed, they weren't playing quite as tough on him and we were able to get some separation. Those guys were athletic that we were playing tonight. I thought our depth was the reason we won the game and we were able to get some separation the second half; with the guys coming off our bench giving us tremendous energy and giving our starters a little bit of a blow. Then when our starters went back in they continued to take it to the level that we needed to play against a very talented team like we were tonight. Tonight we were able to get some easy baskets to keep our energy going and we got some steals as well that led to some kick outs and throw aheads that turned into layups. We need multiple guys scoring and that's what we had tonight with five guys in double figures. Tonight, Stephon Jelks and Desmond Ringer were men. They played without fouling against talented guys inside. I was happy with how they rebounded and how they played physical. I think we'll be fine rebounding the ball. We're going to have to do some things by committee to make things happen. I thought Desmond was really hooping tonight and it was fun to watch how all that hard work is paying off for him." – Head Coach Bob Hoffman
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NOTABLES
RECORDS UPDATE
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The Bears will next hit the road to compete in the 2017 Paradise Jam held in Lynchburg, Va. Mercer will face the tournament host, Liberty, in the opening round, this Friday, Nov. 17 at the Vines Center. Tip-off is slated for 12 noon.
Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Men's 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.
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Mercer clung to a 43-38 halftime lead but came out strong following the break to outscore the visiting Tigers 43-20 to post the 28 point victory. Senior guard Ria'n Holland continued to pace the Bears' offensive attack as he tallied a team-high 19 points on 7-11 shooting from the field, including 2-3 from behind the three point line. Holland also led the Bears in assists (5) and steals (5).
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Senior Desmond Ringer turned in an impressive performance with 14 points and seven rebounds. Also scoring in double figures were seniors Jordan Strawberry (13), Stephon Jelks (11) and Demetre Rivers (11).
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The Bears shot 51% from the floor and 81.5% from the free throw line. Jackson State was led in scoring by Maurice Rivers, who went for 19 points coming off the bench.
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Mercer improves to 2-1 on the season while Jackson State falls to 1-1.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Senior guard Ria'n Holland was the player of the game for the Bears, dropping a team-high 19 points going 7 for 11 from the field. Holland also tallied six rebounds, five assists, and five steals on the evening. The 6-0 native of Fayetteville, N.C., has made all 14 of his free throw attempts this season.
STAT OF THE GAME
The battle inside the paint was the biggest factor in the game. The Bears scored more than half their total points inside the paint (44) while only allowing their opponent 14.
Â
QUOTABLES
"Any game will be a good learning experience when someone tries to take something away from us and they tried to take Ria'n (Holland) away; they played no catch and we talked about how they were going to do that. I was thrilled with how Ria'n handled himself and kept his cool; because that's very difficult when someone is playing no catch and is all over you the whole time. I loved how he maintained his composure and we were able to do some other things with him. We used him as a screener and were able to get a few layups early on. Then as the game progressed, they weren't playing quite as tough on him and we were able to get some separation. Those guys were athletic that we were playing tonight. I thought our depth was the reason we won the game and we were able to get some separation the second half; with the guys coming off our bench giving us tremendous energy and giving our starters a little bit of a blow. Then when our starters went back in they continued to take it to the level that we needed to play against a very talented team like we were tonight. Tonight we were able to get some easy baskets to keep our energy going and we got some steals as well that led to some kick outs and throw aheads that turned into layups. We need multiple guys scoring and that's what we had tonight with five guys in double figures. Tonight, Stephon Jelks and Desmond Ringer were men. They played without fouling against talented guys inside. I was happy with how they rebounded and how they played physical. I think we'll be fine rebounding the ball. We're going to have to do some things by committee to make things happen. I thought Desmond was really hooping tonight and it was fun to watch how all that hard work is paying off for him." – Head Coach Bob Hoffman
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NOTABLES
- All five starters scored in double figures for the Bears.
- Mercer outrebounded Jackson State 35-25 on the glass.
- Ringer and Jelks each led the Bears with seven rebounds. Holland had a team-high five assists and five steals.
- Mercer shot an impressive 50.9% on the day, including 81.5% from the free throw stripe.
- The Bears capitalized on 24 points off turnovers.
- Mercer dominated inside play, outscoring Jackson State 44-14 inside the paint.
- Ten separate players got on the scoreboard for the Bears.
RECORDS UPDATE
- Mercer: 2-1
- Jackson State: 1-1
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The Bears will next hit the road to compete in the 2017 Paradise Jam held in Lynchburg, Va. Mercer will face the tournament host, Liberty, in the opening round, this Friday, Nov. 17 at the Vines Center. Tip-off is slated for 12 noon.
Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Men's 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.
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