Bears Fall to the Paladins in “The Well”

Saturday, January 8

Greenville, S.C.

4:00 PM

Mercer University

8-7,1-1SoCon

Furman

11-6,3-1SoCon

Mercer

Furman

Photo by: Jake List

1/8/2022 7:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Mercer faces defeat to Furman, 81-66

By: Jake List

GREENVILLE, S.C.– The Bears came up short in downtown Greenville, South Carolina against the Furman Paladins with the final of 81-66 at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Mercer (8-7, 1-1 SoCon) had four players score in double figures. Mercer was led by Kamar Robertson's 14 points. Jalen Johnson was right behind him with 13 points and four rebounds, while Felipe Haase added 11 points and Shawn Walker notched 10 as well to round out the scoring for the Bears. Haase and Robertson saw a combined 74 minutes for Mercer as Jacksen Greco received his second start of the season. Mercer shot 9-11 from the charity stripe. The Orange & Black will head back home next with action beginning Thursday, Jan. 13 in Hawkins Arena at 7 p.m. against VMI. The Bears will use this necessary rest as they now have two weeks in the remainder of the season where they play three games apiece.

Furman (11-6, 3-1) did not win the tip, but they were the first to score and would not give up the lead for the remainder of the contest. In the first half, FU's offense showed up and went 16-of-30 shooting from the field, and 5-of-11 from 3-point range to help them record the first half score 44-27. The Paladins' slowed down in the second half and the Bears came within nine, but with tough defense and shooting 88% at the line, it became too much for Mercer to form a comeback. Mike Bothwell had 17 points and five assists as Joe Anderson had 15 points, all threes, and four rebounds as the Dins earned its second straight conference win on the season. Additionally, Jalen Foster and Marcus Foster both recorded 12 points.

NOTABLES:

Robertson led the Bears with 19 points.
Bafutto tallied three offensive rebounds.
Greco recorded his second start for the Bears.
The Bears shot 9-11 from the FT line.
Walker Jr. recorded another 30+ minute game.

2H | Final at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. #LetsRoar x #BearNation pic.twitter.com/lPXm1JF8er
— Mercer Men's Basketball (@MercerMBB) January 8, 2022

HIGHLIGHTS:
Robertson's And One: Watch Here
Walker Jr's Drive: Watch Here
Bafutto's Block: Watch Here

UP NEXT:
Mercer will journey back home to face VMI on Jan. 13 in Hawkins Arena with the tip-off slated for 7 p.m. The matchup on Thursday can be viewed on ESPN+ and can be heard on the Mercer Sports Network (100.9 The Creek, and SportsMic).

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW/MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT!
Purchase your 2021-22 season tickets here to watch the Bears in action at Hawkins Arena. Fans, you can purchase your tickets for the game here. Use the Promo Code "MUGRADE" for discounted tickets!

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.