Saturday, December 31
Macon, Ga.
2 PM
Mercer University
7-8,0-2SoCon
51
vs
80
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
9-6,1-1SoCon
1
2
F
Chattanooga
35
45
80
Mercer
22
29
51
Team Stats
UTC
Mercer
FG%
.481
.355
3FG%
.412
.067
FT%
.700
.750
RB
36
37
TO
10
14
STL
9
4
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
19
FGM
9
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
10
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
6
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
4
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
C
/ Men's BasketballC
/ Men's Basketball
G/F
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's Basketball
McCreary’s Career Day Not Enough Against Chattanooga
12/31/2022 5:41:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Bears fall to 7-8 overall, 0-2 SoCon
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer men's basketball program (7-8, 0-2) dropped the first home conference game of the season against Chattanooga (9-6, 1-1), 80-51, on Saturday at Hawkins Arena. Jalyn McCreary earned the first double-double of his career while shattering his personal best in rebounds with 19 points and 15 rebounds.
A continuous bright spot for the Bears, McCreary had a record-setting day as the first player to record 15 points and 15 rebounds for Mercer since Ethan Stair did so at UNC Wilmington in December 2019. McCreary's 15 rebounds well-exceeded his previous best set at nine rebounds, most recently recorded at Troy.
McCreary is the second player to record 10 defensive rebounds this season, joining Luis Hurtado Jr.'s efforts against Kennesaw State and FGCU. Prior to that, no player had reached that mark for the Bears since December 2021. McCreary is the third player to log a double-double for Mercer this season (Hurtado Jr. and David Craig).
The Bears put points on the board first, but the Mocs soon took control and led for 35 minutes. The difference remained manageable for much of the first half, but Mercer faced multiple shooting droughts.
35.5% from the field is the lowest of the year for Mercer, and the Bears failed to score from beyond the arc in the first half for the first time this season. On the other hand, Chattanooga excelled from distance, knocking down 14 three-pointers on the day.
"We missed some shots we normally make, but if you miss them, you still have to be able to play defense because there are going to be days where the ball doesn't go in," Gary explained "It was one of those days today. We were 1-of-15 from three, but on the defensive end, it affected us because we weren't scoring."
Mercer held Chattanooga to only one player scoring in double figures in Jamal Johnson, but 11 players scored for the Mocs. While the leading scorer for UTC, Jake Stephens, only scored nine points, he made his presence known by drawing pressure.
"Our execution on our defensive game plan was way out of whack," Gary said. "Jake does more than just score. He had seven assists and one turnover, and that goes on the whole team."
Junior Shannon Grant aided in the defensive effort for the Bears in his second appearance of the season returning from injury. As a starter, he finished with 10 points and five rebounds against Chattanooga.
UP NEXT: Mercer remains at home to face Wofford on Wednesday, January 4 at 7 p.m.
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.
A continuous bright spot for the Bears, McCreary had a record-setting day as the first player to record 15 points and 15 rebounds for Mercer since Ethan Stair did so at UNC Wilmington in December 2019. McCreary's 15 rebounds well-exceeded his previous best set at nine rebounds, most recently recorded at Troy.
McCreary is the second player to record 10 defensive rebounds this season, joining Luis Hurtado Jr.'s efforts against Kennesaw State and FGCU. Prior to that, no player had reached that mark for the Bears since December 2021. McCreary is the third player to log a double-double for Mercer this season (Hurtado Jr. and David Craig).
The Bears put points on the board first, but the Mocs soon took control and led for 35 minutes. The difference remained manageable for much of the first half, but Mercer faced multiple shooting droughts.
35.5% from the field is the lowest of the year for Mercer, and the Bears failed to score from beyond the arc in the first half for the first time this season. On the other hand, Chattanooga excelled from distance, knocking down 14 three-pointers on the day.
"We missed some shots we normally make, but if you miss them, you still have to be able to play defense because there are going to be days where the ball doesn't go in," Gary explained "It was one of those days today. We were 1-of-15 from three, but on the defensive end, it affected us because we weren't scoring."
Mercer held Chattanooga to only one player scoring in double figures in Jamal Johnson, but 11 players scored for the Mocs. While the leading scorer for UTC, Jake Stephens, only scored nine points, he made his presence known by drawing pressure.
"Our execution on our defensive game plan was way out of whack," Gary said. "Jake does more than just score. He had seven assists and one turnover, and that goes on the whole team."
Junior Shannon Grant aided in the defensive effort for the Bears in his second appearance of the season returning from injury. As a starter, he finished with 10 points and five rebounds against Chattanooga.
UP NEXT: Mercer remains at home to face Wofford on Wednesday, January 4 at 7 p.m.
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.
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