Mercer Defeats CIU, 84-76

Friday, November 8

Macon, Ga.

1 p.m.

Mercer University

1-1,0-0SoCon

Columbia International

0-2

Columbia Int'l

Mercer

Photo by: Judy Stapleton

11/8/2019 4:58:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Mercer picked up its first win of the season against CIU

By: Travis Rae

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer men's basketball team earned its first win of the season on Friday afternoon with an 84-76 victory over Columbia International. The Bears shot 49 percent from the floor in the win.

Djordje Dimitrijevic scored 24 points leading the Bears and Ethan Stair followed with 17 rounding out the double-figure scorers. Mercer shot 60 percent in the second half. Stair collected his second double-double of the season as he also lead the team with 12 rebounds.

In a back and forth battle early in the contest the Bears took a three-point lead, 8-5, after a drive and dish. Dimitrijevic found Victor Bafutto for a dunk. Both teams continued to trade buckets and a fast-break layup by Dimitrijevic put the Bears ahead 13-7.

Columbia International did not go away quietly as they tied the game, 18-18, on a three-pointer by Jeff McIlwain. The Bears followed with a 6-0 run taking a 24-18 lead after a pair of free throws by Stair. Following the points, the Bears went scoreless for three minutes and CIU took the lead. In the first half. Mercer scored the final four points of the half and took a 37-32 lead into the locker room.

The Bears came out in the second half and slowly built the lead to double-figures as a jumper by Stair put the Bears ahead by 11, 54-43. Mercer extended the lead to 17, 63-46, after a Daniel Love fast-break jumper. The Rams did not go away and trimmed the lead back to 12, 63-51, midway through the second half.

Mercer extended the lead back to 16 before the Rams made another run. After a Tajae Anderson layup, Columbia International found themselves down eight, 71-63. The lead would get as close as seven, 75-68, but they would not get close as Mercer came away with an 84-76 victory.

Every possession is a battle.

Moments from the 1st Half 📸 #BeatCIU #RestoreTheRoar pic.twitter.com/QhVMzgy6mQ
— Mercer Men's Basketball (@MercerMBB) November 8, 2019

QUOTABLES
Coach Greg Gary – "I thought we tried to go one-on-one a little too much and we don't have that kind of team. In the second half, we did a good job spreading the floor, cutting harder, and opening the driving lanes. I was excited about the way we came out in the second half and built the lead."

NOTABLES

The Bears improve to 12-0 over the last 12 home openers. They have not lost a game since 2007 in the home opener.
Djordje Dimitrijevic finished with 24 points in his win over Columbia International. The 24 points was one point away from tying his game-high that he set last year at NC State.
For the second straight contest, Ethan Stair recorded a double-double. He scored 17 points and collected a season-high 12 rebounds.
The Mercer men's basketball team dressed 11 players in the contest against Columbia International. All 11 players scored in the game.
For Monday night's game against Kennesaw State, Lauren Talley will be singing the national anthem. She is a Christian music recording artist.
The Bears outrebounded the Rams by 14 rebounds. Mercer collected 40 rebounds in the contest, and 11 of the 40 were offensive rebounds.
Mercer scored 42 of its 84 points in the paint against Columbia International.

UP NEXT
Mercer returns to action on Monday, Nov. 11 when they host Kennesaw State in non-conference action. Tipoff between the former ASUN rivals is set for 7 p.m. from Hawkins Arena.

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 .