Bears Continue SoCon Road Swing at Samford

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer men's basketball team travels to Birmingham, Ala., to take on Samford in a Southern Conference matchup Monday, Feb. 12. Tipoff at the Pete Hanna Center is set for 8 p.m. (ET).

GAMEDAY LINEUP
Date: Monday, Feb. 12, 2018 | 8 p.m. (ET)
Teams: Mercer (12-13, 5-7 SoCon) vs. Samford (9-18, 5-9 SoCon)
Location: Birmingham, Ala. | Pete Hanna Center
Live Stats: SamfordSports.com
TV: ESPN3
Radio: 97.3 FM, 103.3 FM, iHeart Radio and Sports Mic – Rick Cameron
Twitter Updates: @MercerMBB

SERIES HISTORY
• Overall: Mercer 65-46
• Current Streak: W9
• Last Meeting: W, 81-50 in Macon (1/13/18)

BEAR NECESSITIES
About The Bulldogs
Samford snapped a three-game losing streak with an offensive explosion this past Saturday, as the Bulldogs defeated The Citadel 116-103 in Birmingham. Samford shot 67.8% from the field and nailed 16 of 25 three pointers in posting the victory. Six Samford players scored in double figures, led by Alex Thompson's 24 points on 10-11 shooting … The Bulldogs enter Monday's game with an overall record of 9-18 and 5-9 SoCon mark … Samford ranks 2^nd in the SoCon in free throw shooting, hitting 76.8% from the charity stripe. The Bulldogs are 4th in the league in field goal shooting (47.0%) and 3^rd in the conference in three point shooting percentage (37.8%) … Samford is 2^nd in the conference in assists (16.5 per game) and is 3rd in assist/turnover ratio (1.2) … Demetrius Denzel-Dyson leads the Bulldogs in scoring (15.1), which is 4^th best in the SoCon. Justin Coleman is tallying 13.8 points per outing, 9^th best in the league … Coleman (6.1) and Josh Sharkey (5.2) rank 1-2 in the conference in assists. Coleman's average is 19^th best in the NCAA … Coleman rates 3^rd in the SoCon in assist/turnover ratio (2.3), while Triston Chambers holds the league's 2^nd best three-point shooting percentage (44.7%) … Head Coach Scott Padgett is in his 4^th season with the Bulldogs. The former University of Kentucky standout (member of the 1998 NCAA champions) and first-round NBA draft pick (Utah Jazz) has compiled a head coaching record of 56-72 at Samford. Last year's club finished 20-16 and appeared in the CollegeInsider.com postseason tournament.

Series History
In a series that dates back to the 1902-03 season, Mercer leads 65-46 in games played against Samford. The Bears currently own a nine-game winning streak vs. Samford and are a perfect 7-0 vs. the Bulldogs in Southern Conference play. Samford's last victory over Mercer came on Feb. 23, 2002; a 69-49 triumph in Birmingham. The 111 meetings between Mercer and Samford rank 2^nd all-time for Mercer and any other hardwood opponent. The Bears have played Stetson 125 times over the years. In the earlier meeting this season (1/13/18 in Macon), the Bears jumped out to a 44-16 halftime lead and never looked back in posting an 81-50 victory. Ria'n Holland led the Bears in scoring with 23 points while Desmond Ringer pulled down 12 rebounds. Stephon Jelks had a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards. Mercer outrebounded Samford 43-26 and held the Bulldogs to just 32.1% shooting from the field.

Where the Bears Rank in Southern Conference Statistics
Here's a look at where the Bears' rank near the top of the latest edition of the SoCon men's basketball statistics:
Team Statistics

1st in rebounding defense (29.5)
2^nd in rebounding margin (+5.4)
2nd in 3-pt. field goal% (38.9%)
3^rd in scoring defense (69.1)
3^rd in field goal% (47.2%)
3^rd in field goal% defense (43.2%)
3^rd in free throw% (74.2%)

Individual Statistics (player must appear in at least 75% of team's games)

Stephon Jelks – 2nd in defensive rebounds (5.6)
Stephon Jelks – 2nd in rebounding (7.5)
Jordan Strawberry – 1st in assist/turnover ratio (2.8)
Jordan Strawberry – 4th in assists (4.3)
Ross Cummings – 4^th in 3-pt.% (42.9%)

Coach Hoffman Wins 500^th Game at Men's Collegiate Level
Mercer head coach Bob Hoffman has certainly achieved a great deal of success during his coaching career and he reached a milestone with the Jan. 18 victory over VMI – his 500^th win at the men's collegiate level - that will only add to his list of superlative accomplishments. Coach Hoffman accumulated 243 wins as the head coach at Oklahoma Baptist from 1990-99; 68 victories while at Texas Pan-American (1999-2004); and he has won 191 games as Mercer's head coach (2008-present) for a current total of 502 victories. Coach Hoffman has led Mercer to unprecedented success during his tenure with the Bears. The two-time Atlantic Sun Conference Coach of the Year has directed Mercer to 18 post-season victories and 10 power conference wins. Twice the Bears have won a school-record 27 games (2011-12 and 2013-14) under his leadership.

Jelks Joins The 1,000-Point Club
Last month Stephon Jelks became the 39^th player in Mercer men's basketball history to eclipse the 1,000-point career scoring mark. The senior forward from Marietta, Ga., enters Monday's game with 1,051 career points, which ranks 33rd on the school's all-time list. Next in line for Jelks to surpass are Bud Thomas (1,059/2010-14) and Steve Moody (1,064/1964-67).

Jelks Moves Up Career Rebounding Charts
Jelks is also climbing up the school's career rebounding charts. He comes into the Samford game with 785 career rebounds, which currently ranks 3rd on the all-time career rebounding charts. Jelks is only the 6th player in Mercer men's basketball history to score more than 1,000 points and grab more than 700 rebounds during his career.

Strawberry Eclipses The 1,000-Point Scoring Mark
Earlier this month Mercer senior guard Jordan Strawberry became the 40^th player in Mercer men's basketball history to score 1,000 or more career points. Strawberry enters Monday's game vs. Samford with 1,034 career points. That total ranks is tied for 35^th on the school's all-time list with Reggie Elliott (1994-96) and Jim Hearn (1962-64). Next in line for Strawberry to pass is Will Emerson (1,050/2002-06).

Strawberry Climbs Up Career Assists List
Strawberry comes into the Samford game with 436 career assists, which is ties him with James Florence (2006-10) for 3^rd best in school history. Strawberry is one of only three Mercer players to score more than 1,000 points and dish out more than 400 assists in a career. The other two players who have surpassed those two milestones are Langston Hall and Florence.

Bear Tracks

Mercer won its second straight game Saturday afternoon with an impressive 84-75 triumph at Chattanooga. The Bears were red-hot from the field, hitting a season-best 65.1% from the floor, knocking down 28 of 43 field goal attempts. Mercer outrebounded UTC 25-17 and was 17-19 from the free throw line.
Jelks leads the SoCon with six double-double performances on the season, including one stretch of four in a row. The senior had put together four straight double-double performances until his streak was snapped – barely snapped – against ETSU. The senior had 10 points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds in the win over UTC. He went for 13 points and 11 rebounds in the victory over Samford. In the Jan. 18 triumph over VMI, he tallied 13 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. Against UNCG, Jelks contributed 11 points and 11 rebounds in the Bears' hard-fought 70-66 overtime loss. The senior tallied 14 points and contributed nine rebounds vs. ETSU … Jelks is the team's 2nd leading scorer (10.5) and he is the league's 2nd leading rebounder (7.5) … Jelks' 785 career rebounds ranks best among active SoCon players … Jelks has seven games this season of 10 rebounds are more; most in the league so far.
Desmond Ringer is playing his best basketball of the season of late. The senior post man had a double-double of his own vs. UTC (14/10) and equaled his career-high in rebounds with 12 boards vs. Samford. Against VMI, Ringer grabbed 11 rebounds as the Bears dominated the backboards 50-31. Ringer was a perfect 9-9 from the floor with a 21-point showing vs. ETSU … In SoCon games only, Ringer is averaging 7.6 boards per outing, which is 3rd in the conference. Against Furman, Ringer equaled his career-high with 22 points on seven of eight shooting from the field and a perfect eight for eight at the free throw line. Ringer turned in an impressive 16-point, six-rebound effort in the win over Wofford … Des showed up big in the road win at UTC, scoring a team-high 17 points on 8-9 shooting while grabbing a team-high seven rebounds. His traditional three-point play with 3:23 remaining gave the Bears a 72-71 lead in what might have been the biggest play of the game … Ringer's career field goal percentage of 59.1 is best among active SoCon performers.
Demetre Rivers is Mercer's 3rd leading scorer (10.0) and is hitting a team-best 88.5% from the free throw stripe. Rivers tallied a season-high 24 points vs. Alabama. In that contest, the senior connected on six of eight field goal attempts, including three of four behind the arc, and nailed nine of 10 free throw attempts. Rivers helped ignite a furious rally for the Bears down the stretch, scoring five points in the closing seconds to almost lead Mercer to the upset win over the Crimson Tide. Rivers tallied 11 points in the victory vs. Kennesaw State and his spectacular shot block that landed up in the stands earned the #2 rating on the Dec. 28 edition of ESPN's SportsCenter Top 10 Plays of the Day. Rivers scored 13 clutch points in the win over VMI and went for 11 points vs. UNCG. He tallied some big baskets down the stretch in the win over Wofford, finishing with 10 points, including 2-3 from three point range, and followed that up with a solid 13-point effort in the victory over Chattanooga … Rivers' career 85.3% from the free throw line ranks 3^rd among active SoCon players.
Strawberry continues to rank among the SoCon leaders in assist/turnover ratio (2.8), which ranks 1st in the league. Strawberry dished out seven assists in the win over Samford, handed out six assists in the victory at VMI, passed for five assists vs. UNCG and distributed six assists in Thursday's home game vs. Furman. The senior guard has 95 assists on the season (4.1 per game/4th in the league) while committing just 34 turnovers … Strawberry scored 22 points vs. The Citadel and went for 18 points in vs. Furman. In the Feb. 3 victory over Wofford, Strawberry dished out a game-high five assists and dealt out eight dimes in his most recent outing vs. UTC … In conference games only, he is shooting a blazing 91.9% from the free throw stripe, which is best in the SoCon.
Ross Cummings has been on fire over the past four games. During that stretch, he is averaging 17.3 points while shooting 50% from the field (23-46) and 51.4% from three point range (18-35). Deemed the "Mamba," for raising his ability to another level, Cummings went for a career-high 22 points against Wofford, sinking six of eight three point shots, including three crucial baskets down the stretch. He went for 16 points on 6-12 shooting (4-6 on 3's) in the win over UTC. Cummings has started the past three games in place of the injured Ria'n Holland.
Freshman Marcus Cohen came off the bench to tally a career-high 16 points in the game vs. ETSU. In that contest, Cohen was 7-12 from the field and also handed out five assists. He came off the bench against Furman and turned in what was then a career-best 14-point performance against the Paladins.
Jaylen Stowe came off the bench against Furman to tally 10 points, which equaled his career high. He also grabbed a career-best nine rebounds.
Ethan Stair started in the place of the injured Ria'n Holland against UNCG and contributed 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
Mercer received solid play off the bench in its win over UTC, with Cory Kilby scoring five, Ryan Johnson four, and Mac Brydon and Stowe contributing two points apiece.
Mercer has four players hitting 80% or better from the free throw line, including Rivers (88.5%); Strawberry (84.5%); Holland (83.6%); and Jelks (81.1%).

Holland Ranks as one of the SoCon's Best Performers
Despite being sidelined with some injuries this season, Holland has exhibited the type of play indicative of an all-conference performer. Holland was named the Southern Conference Player of the Week for his performance in the team's opening two games. He went for 31 points in the 88-79 loss at Central Florida and then came back with a 16-point effort in the victory over Toccoa Falls. That 31-point effort vs. UCF was at the time, the second-highest output in his Mercer career. The 6-0 product of Fayetteville, N.C., had scored a career-best 32 points last season vs. The Citadel, before eclipsing that mark with a 33-point career-high effort Dec. 17 at La Salle, a game in which he drained 10 of 19 field goal attempts, including six of nine from three point range … Holland was named to the Paradise Jam All-Tournament team as he averaged 18.3 points during the three-game stretch, including a 29-point effort in the victory over Drexel … The 6-0 senior went for 24 points on seven of 10 shooting from the field, including six of eight behind the three point arc in the victory over Florida A&M … Holland played superbly in an 80-79 nail biting loss at Alabama Dec. 19, tallying 21 points. His 20 points led all scorers in the Dec. 28 triumph over Kennesaw State … Holland broke out of his shooting slump in fine fashion in the win over Samford by leading all scorers with 23 points on eight of 14 shooting, including five of nine from three point range. Prior to the Samford game, the senior guard had missed his last 13 three point attempts … Holland led Mercer with 16 points vs. VMI, with 14 of those coming in the first half. He left that game early in the second half with a hand injury and is out indefinitely. In the 16 games that he has played, he leads the team in scoring (19.0), which ranked 2^nd in the SoCon prior to his hand injury. Holland has scored in double figures in 43 of the 48 career games he has played at Mercer, including all 16 games this season.

Preseason Watch List
Holland was named to the 2017-18 Lou Henson Award Preseason Watch List, as announced by CollegeInsider.com earlier this season. The Lou Henson Award is presented annually to the nation's top NCAA Division I mid-major player. Holland is one of 51 mid-major players included on the preseason watch list. The award is named after Lou Henson, who coached college basketball for 41 years and was sixth all-time in career Division I wins (779) when he left the game in 2005. Holland is one of four players from SoCon teams included on the watch list. Players on teams from the following conferences are eligible for the award: America East, ASUN, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Colonial, Horizon, Independents, Ivy, Metro-Atlantic, Mid-American, Mid-Eastern, Missouri Valley, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Southland, Southwestern, Summit, Sun Belt and West Coast. The winner of the 2017-18 Lou Henson Award will be announced on March 31, 2018 at the CollegeInsider.com Awards Event in San Antonio, Texas, the site of the men's NCAA Basketball Championship.
Holland was also named to the preseason All-Southern Conference team as selected by the league's coaches prior to the start of this year.

What's Next
Mercer returns to Macon for a three-game home stand, closing out the home portion of its regular season. The Bears play host to VMI Thursday, Feb. 15 with tipoff time set for 7 p.m. (ET) at Hawkins Arena.

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.

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Players Mentioned

Mac Brydon

Ross Cummings

Ria'n Holland

Stephon Jelks

Ryan Johnson

Cory Kilby

Desmond Ringer

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