Mercer University
Robert Morris University
Bears Set to Compete in Hostilo Hoops Community Classic
11/23/2022 6:20:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Mercer will play three games in Savannah, Georgia
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer men's basketball program will compete in the Hostilo Hoops Community Classic in Savannah, Georgia, November 25-27. The Bears will face Robert Morris, Fairfield, and Towson at Enmarket Arena.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25 | 9 p.m.
Mercer vs. Robert Morris (2-2)
TV: BeTheBeast | RADIO: SportsMic Radio Network
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26 | 7:30 p.m.
Mercer vs. Fairfield (0-4)
TV: BeTheBeast | RADIO: SportsMic Radio Network
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27 | 5 p.m.
Mercer vs. Towson (5-0)
TV: BeTheBeast | RADIO: SportsMic Radio Network
SCOUTING ROBERT MORRIS
Robert Morris is a brand-new opponent for the Bears as the two teams have never played. Robert Morris, a member of the Horizon League, began the season 2-2. The Colonials have losses to Ohio State and Dayton on the road and wins over Pitt Greensburg and West Virginia Wesleyan at home. The 111-56 win over West Virginia Wesleyan matched a single-game scoring record for the Colonials.
Head coach Andrew Toole is in his 13th season with Robert Morris where he began his head coaching career. The Colonials were picked to finish eighth in the Horizon League. Forward Kahliel Spear was named to the preseason All-Horizon League second team.
SCOUTING FAIRFIELD
The Fairfield men's basketball team is still searching for its first win of the season after starting 0-4. The Stags are midway through an eight-game road trip before the grand opening of a new arena. Fairfield recorded losses to Wake Forest, New Hampshire, Xavier, and Wagner this season.
The Stags are led by head coach Jay Young in his fourth season with the program. Fairfield was picked to finish fifth in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Supreme Cook, the team's leading rebounder, was selected for the All-MAAC preseason first team while teammate Jake Wojcik was named to the third team.
The only previous meeting between the two teams was in March 2012 when the programs competed in the Collegeinsider.com Tournament where Mercer earned a 64-59 win.
SCOUTING TOWSON
Towson is off to an undefeated start, posting a 5-0 overall record with two wins at home and three wins on the road. Three of the five wins were by single-digits. The Tigers defeated UAlbany, Massachusetts, Penn, UNC Greensboro, and Coppin State to open the season.
Pat Skerry leads Towson in his 12th season as head coach. The Tigers received 12 first-place votes in the Colonial Athletic Association preseason poll as the favorite to win the conference. Three players were named to the All-CAA preseason first team for Towson: Nicolas Timberlake, Charles Thompson, and Cam Holden. To no surprise, Timberlake, Thompson, and Holden lead the Tigers in scoring so far this season.
Mercer will look to hand Towson a loss this season in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
RECENT ACTION
The Bears recently fell in a back-and-forth battle with Florida State, 81-72, on Monday, November 21 in Tallahassee, Florida. Freshman David Craig recorded his second double-double in three days with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Craig is one of two players in the Southern Conference with multiple double-doubles this season and one of four freshmen in the conference with a double-double.
Jalyn McCreary led the Bears in scoring with 20 points thanks to his dynamic play in the paint. This was his fourth game scoring in double figures and second game reaching at least 20 points.
Adding to his conference-leading assist total, Luis Hurtado Jr. recorded nine against FSU. The Bears have logged more assists than every opponent this season and currently rank fifth in the country for assists per game.
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.
