Bears Continue Their Winning Streak

Saturday, December 4

Macon, Ga.

2:00 PM

Mercer University

5-4,0-0SoCon

Georgia State University

4-3,0-0Sun Belt

Georgia St.

Mercer

Photo by: James Thomas

12/4/2021 6:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Mercer Defeated Georgia State, 83-77.

By: Jake List

MACON, Ga. – After defeating both Kennesaw State and Life University to open the season, the Mercer Bears stay undefeated against teams in the state of Georgia. The Bears won in Hawkins 83-77.

Mercer (5-4, 0-0 SoCon) and Georgia State met for the 86th time today. GSU has faced the Bears more times than any other opponent in program history. The two teams split a pair of games last year, with the Bears earning the win today. Mercer took an early 14-8 lead with just eight minutes into the game. At that time, the Panthers went just 3-of-12 from the field. The Bears would eventually cool down and enter the half down by two. However, the Orange & Black would then use key second half performances from James Glisson III and Jalen Johnson to secure the victory. With trips to the line from Felipe Haase, Neftali Alvarez, and Shannon Grant to put the nail in the coffin. Mercer was led by Glisson's 25 points as he went 10-14 from the field. Kamar Robinson and Jovan Tucker are not to be forgotten as they were key factors on the defensive end tonight with dominant rebounds. Haase scored 13 points while shooting 100% from the free throw line. Johnson added to the Bears with 19 points by way of some monstrous dunks. Shawn Walker Jr. also contributed with an essential three-pointer to swing momentum. The Bears will now face Costal Carolina on Monday in Conway, S.C. at 7 p.m.

Georgia State (4-3, 0-0) were coming off a stretch of nearly two weeks where the squad had practiced just twice together as a team. After players on their team had COVID-19 contact the Panthers followed the necessary protocols and held six GSU players out of last week's game at Rhode Island.

For tonight's game, Redshirt-junior Nelson Phillips led Georgia State with 19 points while going 5-of-7 from 3-point range with six rebounds. Senior Corey Allen was able to return to the line-up and he scored 13 points. Nevertheless, a cold-shooting stretch for the rest of the Panthers in the second half is what helped Mercer earn the 83-77 victory over GSU at Hawkins Arena.

NOTABLES

Glisson III led the Bears with a career high 25 points.
Johnson was one rebounds away from a double-double.
Haase and Johnson tallied 32 points.
Robertson played well defensively with 8 rebounds.
Three Bears went 100% from the FT line.
There were three Bears in double digits. (Johnson, Haase, Glisson III)

UP NEXT
Mercer will travel South Carolina to face Costal Carolina on Dec. 6 with the tip-off slated for 7 p.m. The matchup on Saturday can be viewed on ESPN+ and can be heard on the Mercer Sports Network (100.9 The Creek, SportsMic) with Rick Cameron on the call.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW/Macon Made Game!
Purchase your 2021-22 season tickets here to watch the Bears in action at Hawkins Arena. Fans buy your Macon Made tickets for Mercer's next home matchup on the Dec. 11 against Georgia Southern in Hawkins Arena by clicking the link here!

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.