Bears Come Up Short At South Alabama, 75-66

Saturday, November 16

Mobile, Ala.

4 p.m.

Mercer University

2-2,0-0SoCon

South Alabama

2-2,0-0Sun Belt

Mercer

South Alabama

11/16/2024 7:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Tyler Johnson had a season high 26 points for the Bears

MOBILE, Ala. - Tyler Johnson scored a season high 26 points while shooting 56 percent from the field but it wasn't enough as Mercer dropped a 75-66 decision to South Alabama Saturday from the Mitchell Center in Mobile, Alabama.

After trailing by as many as 18 points in the second half, the Bears made it a one-possession game, cutting the deficit to just two at 68-66 with just over two minutes to go in the game. However, South Alabama was able to get stops defensively and made its free throws down the stretch to hold off the Bears.

Mercer shot 22-of-58 (37.9%) from the field, while South Alabama went 25-of-60 (41.7%) from the floor. Mercer was 12-of-32 (37.5%) from deep marking the third game in which the Bears made at least 12 three-pointers.

Johnson knocked down 6-of-11 (54.5%) threes for 18 of his 26 points on the night. Ahmad Robinson added 16 points to go with seven assists and five rebounds.

THE BASICS

SCORE: South Alabama 75, Mercer 66
RECORDS: Mercer 2-2 (0-0 SoCon); South Alabama 2-2 (0-0 Sun Belt)
LOCATION: Mobile, Ala. (Mitchell Center

HOW IT HAPPENED

1ST HALF

Neither team could get on a scoring run as each team struggled to knock down shots early to open the game. A layup from Johnson made it a 10-9 lead for the Jags with just over 12 minutes to play in the first. After South Alabama took its largest lead of the game at 23-12, Angel Montas Jr. drained a three-pointer to make it a 23-15 game with more than seven minutes to go in the first.

The Bears picked up full court near the end of the first half and in doing so got a steal and an easy layup from Johnson and another steal and an and-one from Robinson to tie the game at 30. However, the Jags closed the half on a 12-2 run to take a 42-32 lead into halftime.

2ND HALF

The Bears started a bit slow to begin the second half as South Alabama scored the first seven points of the half and stretched its lead to 17 at 49-32. Then, Mercer picked up the defensive execution and went on a 9-2 run themselves to get back in it at 55-44 with under 13 minutes to play. Two three-pointers from Ahmad Robinson three-pointer made it a 62-58 lead for the Jags with seven minutes to play. With less than four minutes to play, Mercer found itself down 68-60, but threes from Jah Quinones and Johnson suddenly made it a one-possession game with more than two minutes to play. South Alabama would then get a few defensive stops and make its free throws to hold on for thw win.

NOTABLES

+ Mercer shot 8-for-17 (47.1%) from deep in the second half.
+ The Bears went 10-for-11 (90.9%) from the foul line.
+ Mercer had a season high four blocks with Cam Bryant leading the way with two blocks.
+ Tyler Johnson had season highs in points (26), made FG's (9) and made 3FG's (6). His six made threes were a career high.
+ Ahmad Robinson led the Bears with three steals and had a season high seven assists. He's had at least two steals in all four games this season.
+ Jah Quinones had 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting including 2-of-4 from deep.

UP NEXT

Mercer will head back out on the road to play an SEC opponent in South Carolina next Thursday, Nov. 21. Tip off from Columbia is 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, email maf@mercer.edu.