Mercer Defeats Life, 78-50, in Macon

Tuesday, November 16

Macon, Ga.

7:00 PM

Mercer University

1-2,0-0SoCon

Life University

0-1

Life (GA)

Mercer

Photo by: Kayla Davis

11/16/2021 10:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Jake List

MACON, Ga. – The third season of the Greg Gary era earns its first win of the 2021-2022 season over Life University, 78-50, while placing three players in double figures.

Mercer (1-2, 0-0 SoCon) performed well in the first half and started off hot from deep. The Bears went 6-10 from behind the arc in the first twenty minutes as Kamar Robertson shot 3-3. Felipe Haase, Shawn Walker Jr., and Jalen Johnson added to that tally to make it six. Robertson and Johnson combined for 22 points and three assists, in the first. The Bears put in hard work off the glass with Mercer combining for 22 total boards from Robertson, Neftali Alvarez, Jovan Tucker, Johnson, and Walker Jr. The Bears entered the half with lead, 43-17.

The Orange & Black didn't start as fast as they usually do to begin the second half, but after some key substitutions and made jump shots they turned their gameplay around. The Bears didn't shoot as effectively from three, but their mid-range shot selection became more decisive and their defense stepped up in all areas of the court. Jacksen Greco, Shannon Grant, and Robertson played valuable minutes off the bench tonight totaling for 24 points. Victor Bafutto, Jordan Jones, John Treanor, Diego Rivera, and Harrison Drake all saw the court tonight as well. The Bears shared the ball well and it led to smart and effective shooting to give them tonight's victory.

Life still (3-0, 0-0) at the end of regulation as they counted tonight's matchup as an exhibition. The Running Eagles started off slow in the first, shooting just 7-32. The Running Eagles put up an impressive 32 rebounds in the game and that's what gave them such great second chances on offense. Nevertheless, it was Mercer's fast pace and efficient shots from three as well as at their many visits to the free throw line that helped them earn tonight's victory.

The Bears will use this game as positive momentum entering the weekend as Mercer travels to St. Louis for a Nov. 20 matchup to begin the Cancun Challenge.

NOTABLES

Alvarez led the Bears with 17 points with five rebounds and two assists.
Johnson was just one rebound short of a 15-10 double-double.
Johnson and Alvarez tallied 32 points.
The bears shot 60% from three in the first off 10 attempts.
There were four Bears to all have three assists on the day. (Johnson, Alvarez, Walker Jr., Tucker)

UP NEXT
Mercer will begin their first game of the Cancun challenge on Nov. 20 against Saint Louis in Chaifetz Arena with the tip-off slated for 5 p.m. ET. The matchup on Saturday can be viewed on FloHoops and can be heard on the Mercer Sports Network (100.9 The Creek, SportsMic).

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.