Bears Hit The Road to Face Chattanooga Saturday Night

MACON, Ga. – Mercer's men's basketball team returns to the hardwood this Saturday, Feb. 10 as the Bears travel to Chattanooga, Tenn., to face the Chattanooga Moccasins. Tipoff time at McKenzie Arena is 5 p.m. (ET).

GAMEDAY LINEUP
Date: Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018 | 5 p.m. (ET)
Teams: Mercer (11-13, 4-7 SoCon) vs. Chattanooga (9-17, 3-10 SoCon)
Location: Chattanooga, Tenn. | McKenzie Arena
Live Stats: MercerBears.com/LiveStats
TV: ESPN3
Radio: 97.3 FM, 103.3 FM, iHeart Radio and Sports Mic – Rick Cameron
Twitter Updates: @MercerMBB

SERIES HISTORY
• Overall: Mercer leads 36-32
• Current Streak: W2
• Last Meeting: W, 75-71 (OT) in Macon (1/15/17)

BEAR NECESSITIES
About The Mocs
Chattanooga comes into the game fresh off a thrilling 85-82 home court victory over The Citadel. Makale Foreman knocked in 22 points for UTC, including 6-10 from three point range. The win improved UTC to 9-17 overall and 3-10 in the SoCon. The Moccasins are led in scoring by Dixon, who is averaging 14.9 points per outing. Makinde London is scoring at a 13.7 clip and tops the club in rebounding with 7.2 boards per game, which ranks 4^th in the conference … Chatman is 3^rd in the conference in assists (4.8) … Dixon (36.7), Foreman (35.2), and Chatman (33.5) rank 1-2-3 in the league in minutes played … Lamont Paris, a former Wisconsin assistant, is Chattanooga's first year head coach. Coach Paris played an integral role in the success of the Badger program, as UW averaged 27 wins per year during the seven-year period that he was in Madison. His head coaching record currently stands at 9-17.

Series History
In a series that dates back to the 1920-21 season, Mercer leads 36-32 in games played against Chattanooga. At Macon, Mercer leads the series 24-11. At Chattanooga, the Mocs hold an 18-10 advantage. In Southern Conference games, Mercer is 3-4 vs. UTC. The Bears were 75-71 overtime winners over the Mocs Jan. 15 at Macon. In that contest, Mercer had five players score in double figures, led by Jordan Strawberry's 18 points. Strawberry also dished out six assists. Stephon Jelks (10-12) and Desmond Ringer (14-10) both turned in double-double performances. The Bears outrebounded Chattanooga 39-20 and shot a blazing 56.6% from the field. UTC was led in scoring by Nat Dixon and Rodney Chatman, who scored 17 points apiece.

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

2nd in rebounding defense (30.0)
2^nd in rebounding margin (+5.2)
2nd in 3-pt. field goal% (38.1%)
3^rd in scoring defense (68.9)
3^rd in field goal% (46.6%)
3^rd in field goal% defense (43.0%)

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

Stephon Jelks – 2nd in defensive rebounds (5.7)
Stephon Jelks – 2nd in rebounding (7.6)
Jordan Strawberry – 1st in assist/turnover ratio (2.8)
Jordan Strawberry – 4th in assists (4.2)

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 190 games as Mercer's head coach (2008-present) for a current total of 501 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 Saturday's game with 1,039 career points, which ranks 34^thon the school's all-time list. Next in line for Jelks to surpass is Will Emerson (1,050/2002-06) and Bud Thomas (1,059/2010-14).

Jelks Moves Up Career Rebounding Charts
Jelks is also climbing up the school's career rebounding charts. He comes into the Chattanooga game with 781 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 Saturday's game against UTC with 1,021 career points. That total ranks 38^th in school history. Next in line for Strawberry to pass are Donnie Veal (1,023/1958-61), Rodney Kirtz (1,025/1998-01), Reggie Elliott (1,034/1994-96), and Jim Hearn (1,034/1962-64).

Strawberry Climbs Up Career Assists List
Strawberry comes into the Chattanooga game with 428 career assists, which ranks 4^th on the Mercer career chart. Next in line for Strawberry to pass is James Florence (436/2006-10). 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 James Florence.

Bear Tracks

Mercer snapped a four-game losing streak Feb. 3 with an impressive come from behind 73-65 home floor win over Wofford. The Bears outscored the Terriers 49-39 in the second half to claim that victory.
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 (10.4) and he is the league's 2nd leading rebounder (7.6) … Jelks' career rebounding average of 6.45 ranks 4^th 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. He is coming off an impressive 16-point, six-rebound effort in the win over Wofford … Ringer's career field goal percentage of 58.5 ranks tied for 1^st among active conference performers.
Demetre Rivers is Mercer's 3rd leading scorer (9.9) and is hitting a team-best 88.1% 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 … 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 … In conference games only, he is shooting a blazing 90.3% from the free throw stripe, which is best in the SoCon.
Ross Cummings has been on fire over the past three games. During that stretch, he is averaging 17.7 points while shooting 50% from the field (17-34) and 48.3% from three point range (14-29). 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. Cummings has started the past two 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 has four players hitting 80% or better from the free throw line, including Rivers (88.1%); Holland (83.6%); Strawberry (83.1%) and Jelks (81.3%).

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 continues its two-game SoCon road swing Monday, Feb. 12 by traveling to Birmingham, Ala., to take on the Samford Bulldogs. Tipoff time is set for 8 p.m. (ET).

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.

Bears Hit The Road to Face Chattanooga Saturday Night

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Players Mentioned

Marcus Cohen

Ross Cummings

Ria'n Holland

Stephon Jelks

Desmond Ringer

Demetre Rivers

Ethan Stair

Jaylen Stowe

Jordan Strawberry

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Mercer University Athletics

Bears Hit The Road to Face Chattanooga Saturday Night

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Marcus Cohen

Ross Cummings

Ria'n Holland

Stephon Jelks

Desmond Ringer

Demetre Rivers

Ethan Stair

Jaylen Stowe

Jordan Strawberry

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