McCreary Eclipses 1K Points, Bears Fall in a Fight

Saturday, January 20

Birmingham, Ala.

6 p.m. ET

Mercer University

8-11,1-5SoCon

Samford

17-2,6-0SoCon

Mercer

Samford

McCreary Eclipses 1K Points, Bears Fall in a Fight

1/20/2024 9:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score

By: Makenzie Jones, jones_m@mercer.edu

BIRMINGHAM – The Mercer men's basketball team (8-11, 1-5) shot over 50 percent from the field and nearly as good from three in a tough loss to the conference-leading Samford Bulldogs (17-2, 6-0). Senior Jalyn McCreary surpassed 1,000 career points in the first half and finished the game with 14 points, shooting 7-of-10 from the field.

The Bears will stay on the road for the next two contests, facing The Citadel (8-11, 0-6) on Jan. 24 and UNC Greensboro (14-5, 5-1) on Jan. 27.

THE BASICS

SCORE: Samford 87, Mercer 80
RECORDS: Samford (17-2, 6-0 SoCon); Mercer (8-11, 1-5 SoCon)
LOCATION: Birmingham, Ala. (Pete Hanna Center)

HOW IT HAPPENED

1ST HALF

Samford started the game on a 10-0 run in the first three minutes before Jalen Cobb drained a deep 3-pointer. Samford gave the Bears more than they could handle from the start, defending with a full-court press from the tip. With four minutes remaining in the half, Robby Carmody heaved an inbounds pass to Jalyn McCreary on the far end of the court to surpass 1,000 career points on a dunk. Despite having 15 turnovers in the half, Mercer would have gone into the break only down 10 points, but Samford's A.J. Station-McRay made a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

2ND HALF

A dunk by Alex Holt brought the Bears within eight just two minutes into the half. The Bears hung between 11 and eight points down until Jake Davis hit three 3-pointers in less than 90 seconds to make it a one-point game. From there, the Bears made no field goals for four-and-a-half minutes until Jah Quinones converted an and-one to bring it back within four points with under four minutes remaining in the game. Down six points with one minute to go, the Bears resorted to fouling, despite the Bulldogs leading the conference in free throw shooting percentage.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

+ Freshman Jake Davis scored 21 points shooting 66.6 percent from the field and 57.1 percent from three. This is the second game this season he has made four 3-pointers. Three of these were within a 90-second span. + Fifth year Jalen Cobb made 3-of-5 from behind the arc and was 2-of-2 from the free throw line to account for 11 points. He also added four rebounds and one steal. + Junior Alex Holt put up 10 points, pulled down six rebounds, and blocked two shots.

NOTABLES

+ Alex Holt entered the starting lineup again for the first time since November 17 at Alabama. + TJ Grant returned to action after missing nine games due to injury. + 10 3-pointers is tied for the second-most the team has made in one game this season. 47.6 percent is the best the team has shot from three this season.
+ The Bears out-rebounded the Bulldogs 35-28 and doubled the Dogs in dunks (8-4).

UP NEXT

Mercer will travel to Charleston to play The Citadel on Wednesday, January 24 at 7 p.m.

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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.