Saturday, December 9
Macon, Ga.
4 P.M.
Mercer University
6-4
82
vs
64
Florida A&M
1-10
1
2
F
Florida A&M
31
33
64
Mercer
47
35
82
Team Stats
FAMUM
MER
FG%
.451
.519
3FG%
.522
.483
FT%
.545
.667
RB
22
37
TO
7
9
STL
5
3
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
24
FGM
7
3FGM
6
FTM
4
Pts
12
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
3
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballPhoto by: Judy Stapleton
Mercer Posts 82-64 Win Over Florida A&M Saturday Afternoon
12/9/2017 6:56:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MACON, Ga.- Ria'n Holland returned to the starting lineup for the first time in three weeks and picked up where he left off in leading Mercer to a convincing 82-64 victory over Florida A&M Saturday afternoon at Hawkins Arena.
Â
Holland, a 6-0 senior from Fayetteville, N.C., had missed the past three games with an ankle injury. He responded with a 24-point scoring effort, hitting seven of 10 field goals, including six of eight from three point range. The Bears shot a sizzling 51.9% from the floor and connected on 14 of 29 three point attempts.Â
Â
Senior forward Stephon Jelks flirted with a triple double, scoring 12 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and handing out seven assists. Jordan Strawberry also hit for double figures for the Bears, tallying 12 on the afternoon. Â
Â
Mercer raced out to a 47-31 halftime lead and kept Florida A&M at bay the remainder of the game. For the game, the Rattlers were led by Marcus Barham's 21 points, all coming on seven three point baskets.Â
Â
Mercer improves to 6-4 on the season while Florida A&M falls to 1-10.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Stephon Jelks was the player of the game for the Bears as he came just shy of a triple double. Jelks scored 12 points going 5 for 9 from the field and 2 for 3 from behind the arc. Jelks also grabbed 10 rebounds and dished seven assists in 27 minutes played.
Â
STAT OF THE GAME
The battle of the boards proved to be a great factor in the game. Mercer out-rebounded Florida A&M 37-22 throughout the game.
Â
QUOTABLES
"It was tremendous how we shared the ball tonight, we had 17 assists and really took care of the ball until a few mistakes late in the game. I love how our guys competed tonight against a really athletic team that fought for the full 40 minutes tonight. I was really pleased with our guys' ability to take what we had coached them on all week and translate it on to the court. It was great to have Ria'n back. He was feeling it from the very beginning and he helped us get some separation. I think Ria'n being out for a few games really stretched our team and it will help us in the long run. Steph was really impressive today as well. He has really been practicing and working hard on rebounding and he did a great job on it today. But it was an overall great team win. I like where we are right now. There is still room for improvement but when we shoot the ball like we did today I think we have a great chance in conference play."---Head Coach Bob Hoffman
Â
NOTABLES
The Bears will have more than a week off to prepare for their road trip to Philadelphia, Penn. to face La Salle, next Sunday, Dec. 17. Tip-off is slated for 4 p.m.
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.
###
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Holland, a 6-0 senior from Fayetteville, N.C., had missed the past three games with an ankle injury. He responded with a 24-point scoring effort, hitting seven of 10 field goals, including six of eight from three point range. The Bears shot a sizzling 51.9% from the floor and connected on 14 of 29 three point attempts.Â
Â
Senior forward Stephon Jelks flirted with a triple double, scoring 12 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and handing out seven assists. Jordan Strawberry also hit for double figures for the Bears, tallying 12 on the afternoon. Â
Â
Mercer raced out to a 47-31 halftime lead and kept Florida A&M at bay the remainder of the game. For the game, the Rattlers were led by Marcus Barham's 21 points, all coming on seven three point baskets.Â
Â
Mercer improves to 6-4 on the season while Florida A&M falls to 1-10.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Stephon Jelks was the player of the game for the Bears as he came just shy of a triple double. Jelks scored 12 points going 5 for 9 from the field and 2 for 3 from behind the arc. Jelks also grabbed 10 rebounds and dished seven assists in 27 minutes played.
Â
STAT OF THE GAME
The battle of the boards proved to be a great factor in the game. Mercer out-rebounded Florida A&M 37-22 throughout the game.
Â
QUOTABLES
"It was tremendous how we shared the ball tonight, we had 17 assists and really took care of the ball until a few mistakes late in the game. I love how our guys competed tonight against a really athletic team that fought for the full 40 minutes tonight. I was really pleased with our guys' ability to take what we had coached them on all week and translate it on to the court. It was great to have Ria'n back. He was feeling it from the very beginning and he helped us get some separation. I think Ria'n being out for a few games really stretched our team and it will help us in the long run. Steph was really impressive today as well. He has really been practicing and working hard on rebounding and he did a great job on it today. But it was an overall great team win. I like where we are right now. There is still room for improvement but when we shoot the ball like we did today I think we have a great chance in conference play."---Head Coach Bob Hoffman
Â
NOTABLES
- The Bears knocked in a season-high 14 three pointers, going 14 for 29 (48%) from downtown.
- The bench provided an extra spark for the Bears, contributing 18 points, with Ethan Stair scoring eight.
- Mercer outscored the Rattlers 26-10 in the paint.
- The Bears out-rebounded Florida A&M 37-22, grabbing 26 defensive rebounds and 11 offensive boards along the way.
- Mercer protected the ball very efficiently, as they committed only nine turnovers and allowed a mere four points off of the mistakes.
- Mercer led for 35:15 in the game.
- Mercer: 6-4
- Florida A&M: 1-10
The Bears will have more than a week off to prepare for their road trip to Philadelphia, Penn. to face La Salle, next Sunday, Dec. 17. Tip-off is slated for 4 p.m.
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.
###
Â
Â
Â
Â
Mercer 22, Wofford 21 | Postgame Press Conference (9/13/25)
Sunday, September 14
Mercer Football 2025 | vs. Wofford | Full Game Highlights
Sunday, September 14
Mercer Football Press Conference (Week 3 vs. Wofford)
Monday, September 08
Mercer v. South Florida Men's Soccer Highlight Reel: 9/7/2025
Monday, September 08
