Western Michigan Rallies Back To Stifle Men's Basketball

Saturday, November 25

Destin, Fla.

1:30 p.m.

Mercer University

2-4,0-0SoCon

Western Michigan

2-4,0-0MAC

Mercer

Western Mich.

Western Michigan Rallies Back To Stifle Men's Basketball

11/25/2023 8:05:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score Photo Gallery

DESTIN, Fla. – The Mercer men's basketball team built a double-digit lead in the first half, but were unable to hold on through the final buzzer. The 72-66 loss to Western Michigan (2-4) is Mercer's (2-4) third single-digit loss of the season.

Both squads shot better than 50 percent from the field in the first half. Mercer made five 3-pointers and shot 42 percent from behind the arc. Mercer's second half shooting fell to 38 and 25 percent, respectively, while Western Michigan's remained above 50 percent in both categories.

The loss marks the end of a nearly two-week stretch on the road for the Bears before heading two hours north to Athens to face Georgia for the final road contest of 2023.

THE BASICS

SCORE: Western Michigan 72, Mercer 66
RECORDS: Mercer (2-4, 0-0 SoCon); Western Michigan (2-4, 0-0 MAC)
LOCATION: Destin, Fla. (Northwest Florida State College)

HOW IT HAPPENED

1ST HALF

Jalyn McCreary got the Bears up 2-0 with a dunk just 13 seconds in, but it was a tight game until Mercer went on an 11-0 run to take a 21-11 lead with 12:32 on the clock. The team reached a 14-point lead, but let Western Michigan go on a run to come within four by the halftime break.

2ND HALF

The Bears trailed for the first time since the 15:35 mark of the first half at a score of 43-41 with 13:57 left in the contest. Mercer shot 5-for-6 going into the under-eight media timeout which was followed by two made free throws by Jalyn McCreary to tie it up. The Bears fell to their largest deficit of seven with under a minute to go. A Caleb Hunter free throw and Robby Carmody layup closed the gap to four, but late-game fouls and free throws on both sides led to the Broncos wrapping it up.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

+ Jalyn McCreary led the team in scoring with 16 points, including two dunks, and was 4-for-4 from the free throw line.
+ Jalen Cobb logged a season-high 25 minutes and scored nine points, including two 3-pointers. Cobb, Robby Carmody and Jake Davis hit two 3-pointers apiece.
+ Caleb Hunter leads the 2023-24 squad in steals and added two to his total in today's game.

NOTABLES

+ This was the Bears' best free throw shooting game of the season, making 10-of-14 for 71 percent.
+ Mercer tallied a season-high 17 assists with Jalyn McCreary accounting for four of them.
+ From 16:16 to 13:35 in the first half, Mercer scored on four consecutive 3-pointers.

UP NEXT

The Bears will travel to Athens to face Georgia on December 1 at 7 p.m. in its last road game of the 2023 calendar year.

STAY CONNECTED

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BACK THE BEARS

Fans can help support the Mercer athletics department by making a gift to the Mercer Athletic Foundation. To find out more information about the Mercer Athletic Foundation, visit S upportMAF.com or email maf@mercer.edu.