Mercer to Host Chattanooga for Conference Home Opener

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer men's basketball program (7-7, 0-1) will face Chattanooga (8-6, 0-1) in the first home conference game of the season on Saturday, December 31 at 2 p.m. in Hawkins Arena. 223 lucky fans will receive free tickets to the game to ring in the new year! Sign up here.

GAMEDAY INFO
Mercer (7-7, 0-1) vs. Chattanooga (8-6, 0-1)
Saturday, December 31, 2022 | 2:00 p.m. (ET)
Macon, Ga. | Hawkins Arena
TICKETS | LIVE STATS
TV: ESPN+ | RADIO: SportsMic Radio Network

The Mocs have a slight edge in the all-time series, leading 41-44, but Mercer is 27-16 at home against Chattanooga. The last ten meetings are evenly split, 5-5, between the two programs.

SCOUTING CHATTANOOGA
Chattanooga posted an 8-5 non-conference campaign led by the SoCon Preseason Player of the Year, Jake Stephens. The graduate student claimed five of the first seven Player of the Week honors and November Player of the Month. Stephens averages 21.4 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Along with his efforts in the paint, the center can also shoot from distance, going 31-72 (.431) from beyond the arc this season.

The Mocs had a six-game winning streak but finished the non-conference schedule with back-to-back losses to Belmont and Georgia. In its conference opener, Chattanooga lost to The Citadel on the road, 76-68, as the Bulldogs held the Mocs to 35.4% shooting on the night.

While Stephens is the biggest threat for the Mocs, the Bears cannot overlook Jamal Johnson who led UTC in points in the last two games. Both players have started all 14 games for Chattanooga and average at least 28 minutes per game.

RECENT ACTION
Mercer opened conference play at Samford on Wednesday with a setback, 78-69. The Bears shot 51.9%, but fell short after the Bulldogs went 7-for-12 from beyond the arc in the second half.

Jalyn McCreary recorded his sixth 20-point game of the season and third in a row with 22 points. He also had a team-high seven rebounds. Michael Zanoni and Kamar Robertson also scored in double figures through a combined 13-for-16.

Junior Shannon Grant made his first appearance of the season on Wednesday after missing all of nonconference play due to injury.

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.

Mercer to Host Chattanooga for Conference Home Opener

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Shannon Grant

Jalyn McCreary

Kamar Robertson

Michael Zanoni

Footer

Mercer University Athletics