Men’s Basketball Falls To Clark Atlanta In Season Opener

Monday, November 6

Macon, Ga.

7 p.m.

Mercer University

0-1,0-0SoCon

Clark Atlanta

0-0,0-0SIAC

Clark Atlanta

Mercer

Men’s Basketball Falls To Clark Atlanta In Season Opener

11/6/2023 9:52:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

MACON – Visiting Clark Atlanta shot 47 percent from the field in both halves and used an 11-2 run early in the second half to pull away for good as the Panthers spoiled the season opener for the Mercer men's basketball team on Monday evening with a 71-64 triumph over the Bears.

It was the third-straight season-opening loss for the Bears (0-1) who mustered just a 53 percent clip from the free throw line, while also falling on the wrong end of the rebounding battle as well. The triumph served as an exhibition victory for the Panthers who open up their regular season campaign on Friday at Valdosta State.

THE BASICS

SCORE: Clark Atlanta 71, Mercer 64
RECORDS: Mercer 0-1; Clark Atlanta 0-0
LOCATION: Macon, Ga. (Hawkins Arena)

HOW IT HAPPENED

1ST HALF

Jalen Williams hit the front end of a two-shot foul at the 11:53 mark to break an 11-all tie and spark the visitors on a 10-2 run over the next four minutes. The Bears followed with an 11-3 run to knot the score back up four minutes after that, and eventually took a 5-point lead, 32-27, on a trey from Jake Davis with just more than a minute remaining before the break.

2ND HALF

Chris Martin's short jumper with 13:23 to play broke a 43-43 tie and ignited the Panthers on an 11-2 run that eventually gave them a 54-45 advantage midway through the second stanza. The Bears slowly whittled away at the deficit over the next eight minutes, and made it a two-possession game, 66-62, on an old-fashioned 3-point play by Jalyn McCreary with 2:22 left. The Bears, however, would miss their final five looks at the basket en route to the final.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

+ Jalyn McCreary led the Bears with 14 points on 5-for-10 field goal shooting against the Panthers. He also added a team-best six rebounds as well.
+ Jah Quinones and Jake Davis both chipped in a team-best three assists. Davis also turned in eight points and a pair of steals in 26 minutes of action.
+ Robby Carmody was a perfect 3-for-3 from the field, including a 2-for-2 clip from the perimeter, on the way to eight points.

NOTABLES

+ The Bears have now dropped three-straight season openers, including setbacks at Arkansas in 2021-22 and at East Carolina last season.
+ Nine different players saw at least 10 minutes of action against Clark Atlanta on Monday, including five players that registered at least 20 minutes of playing time.

UP NEXT

The Bears will open up a 6-game stretch away from home on Thursday when they travel to the Windy City to battle Chicago State (0-1). Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST inside CSU's Jones Convocation Center.

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SUPPORT 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.