Bears Set to Host Georgia State Monday Night

MACON, Ga. – After defeating both North Georgia and Power Five foe Georgia Tech to open the season, the Mercer Bears are looking to stay undefeated against teams in the state of Georgia tomorrow as they welcome Georgia State to Hawkins Arena for 478 Day on Monday night.

Fans can purchase tickets online for $4.78 by clicking here and using code 478day.

BEAR NECESSITIES
Date: Monday, Nov. 30, 2020 | 7:00 p.m.
Matchup: Georgia State (2-0) at Mercer (2-0)
Location: Macon, Ga. | Hawkins Arena
Live Stats: bit.ly/2HM0Xfg
Live Video: ESPN+
Live Radio: 100.9 The Creek and SportsMic with Rick Cameron on the call
Tickets: bit.ly/39ihH9m
Hawkins Arena Protocols: Click Here
Promotion: 478 Day
Twitter Updates: @MercerMBB
Game Notes: Mercer | Georgia State

SERIES HISTORY
Mercer holds an eight-game series lead, 46-38. This is the 85^th meeting between the two in-state rivals.

SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
Rob Lanier is in his second season at the helm and has led State to a 2-0 start this season with a 4OT win over Georgia Tech and a victory over Tocca Falls. The three-headed monster of Justin Roberts (24.5 ppg), Eliel Nsoseme (20.0) and Corey Allen (20.0) lead Ga. State's offensive attack. The trio averages 64.5 points per game. On the glass, Kane Williams (8.5 rpg), Esoseme (8.0) and Jalen Thomas (8,0 rpg) are collecting 24.5 of Georgia State's 52.5 rebounds per game. The Panthers have outscored the opposition, 228-180 through two games and are limiting opponents to a 35.8 percent shooting percentage while shooting 51.8 shooting as a squad. Mercer and Georgia State are both 2-0 and have played one common opponent to date – the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Mercer defeated Georgia Tech, 83-73, while the Panthers used four overtimes to beat GT, 123-120.

ROSS CUMMINGS NEARING RECORDS
Ross Cummings is only 109 points away from joining the 1,000-point club. In his four years at Mercer, Cummings has racked up 891 points; 538 came his junior year. The last Bear to join the 1,000 point club was Ethan Stair. Stair joined the club last season on Jan. 28 at Samford. The all-time leading scorer is James Florence. Florence played for the Bears from 2006-10 and tallied 2,286 points in his career.

1,000 Point Scorers
Rk.       Name                          Pts.
T38.     Jim Hearn                   1,034
T38.     Reggie Elliott 1,034
40.       Rodney Kirtz 1,025
41.       Donnie Veal                 1,023
42.       Dartez Talbott 1,014
            Ross Cummings 891

The sharpshooting Cummings is also nearing Mercer's all-time three-pointers made record, currently held by fan-favorite Langston Hall. Hall, who led the Bears to a stunning upset of No. 3 Duke in the NCAA Tournament in 2014, knocked down 256 treys. James Florence, the Bears' all-time leading scorer knocked down 242 shots from beyond the arc. E..J. Kusnyer (190) sits third. Kusnyer set Mercer's single-season record of 107 in 2009-10. Cummings is fourth with 179 triples.

Rk.       Name                          3's
1          Langston Hall 256
2.         James Florence 242
3.         E.J. Kusnyer 190
4.         Ross Cummings      179
5.         Bud Thomas 161

MERCER VS. IN-STATE FOES
Mercer will face-off against in-state opponents seven times this season. The Bears all-time record against these in-state opponents is 148-143. Below is Mercer's record against this year's opponents from the state of Georgia. The Bears have battled North Georgia (Nov. 25) and Georgia Tech (Nov. 27). Next up, they will take on Georgia State (Nov. 30, Dec. 16), Middle Georgia State (Dec. 6), Georgia Southern (Dec. 13), Georgia Southwestern State (Dec. 19) and Kennesaw State (Dec. 22).

Team                                       Record
North Georgia                         21-1
Georgia Tech                           17-28
Georgia State                          46-38
Middle Georgia State 2-0
Georgia Southern 41-69
Georgia Southwestern St.    4-1
Kennesaw State                      17-6

ALVAREZ LENDS A HELPING HAND
Neftali Alvarez's nine assists at Georgia Tech were the most in a single-game among SoCon schools this season. Alvarez finds himself listed in the category twice as of the date of publication.

Assists Player (School)                  Opponent (Date)
9           Neftali Alvarez (Mercer)     at Georgia Tech (11/27/20)
7           Alex Hunter (Furman) vs. Tusculum (11/25/20)
7           Jalen Slawson (Furman) vs. Tusculum (11/25/20)
6           Mike Bothwell (Furman) vs. Tusculum (11/25/20)
6            Neftali Alvarez (Mercer) vs. North Georgia (11/25/20)

SHARING THE BASKETBALL AS A TEAM
Currently, the Bears rank first in the Southern Conference and ninth in the country with 41 assists. Neftali Alvarez leads the team with 15 assists (7.5 apg) through two games. Below shows the schools ahead of and tied with Mercer in terms of total assists.

Rk. School (Conference) Ast.
1.     Kansas City (Summit)   73
2.     Xavier (Big East) 62
3.     Illinois (Big Ten) 61
4.     Army (Patriot) 50
5.     Ohio (MAC) 49
6.     Iowa (Big Ten) 47
7.     BYU (WCC) 45
8.     Oregon St. (Pac-12) 43
9.     Mercer (SoCon) 41
        Rutgers (Big Ten)         41
        Texas Tech (Big 12) 41

HOME SWEET HOME
Hawkins Arena has been kind to the Bears in recent years. Each of the past two seasons, Mercer has gone 9-6 on their home floor. In 2017-18, the Bears were 11-3 inside Hawkins Arena. Below is Mercer's record at home since the 2016-17 campaign. Mercer is 38-24 at home since that campaign.
Season           Record
2016-17             8-7
2017-18             11-3
2018-19             9-7
2019-20 9-7
2020-21            1-0
Total               38-24

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

Neftali Alvarez

Ross Cummings

Ethan Stair

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