Mercer Falls On The Road To South Carolina, 84-72

Thursday, November 21

Columbia, S.C.

7 p.m.

Mercer University

2-3,0-0SoCon

South Carolina

3-2,0-0SEC

Mercer

South Carolina

Mercer Falls On The Road To South Carolina, 84-72

11/21/2024 10:05:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Bears shot 46% from three-point range

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Despite shooting 46 percent from three-point range, Mercer dropped its road game at South Carolina, 84-72 Thursday night from Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina.

Four Mercer players scored in double figures led by Tyler Johnson's 15 points. Johnson connected on 4-of-9 three-pointers as the Bears went 12-for-26 from behind the arc on the night. Forward Alex Holt had a strong night for the Bears recording 14 points, four rebounds, and four assists.

The Gamecocks had a decisive advantage in free throw attempts as they went 18-for-29 (62%) from the line compared to the Bears who went 8-of-9 (89%). Each team shot a similar percentage from the floor as Mercer went 26-for-57 (46%) from the field and South Carolina was 27-of-55 (49%).

THE BASICS

SCORE: South Carolina 84, Mercer 72
RECORDS: Mercer 2-3 (0-0 SoCon); South Carolina 3-2 (0-0 SEC)
LOCATION: Columbia, S.C. (Colonial Life Arena)

HOW IT HAPPENED

1ST HALF

Cam Bryant got things going for the Bears as he knocked down two three-pointers in the opening minutes of the game. Tyler Johnson drained Mercer's third three-pointer in the opening four minutes and Mercer jumped out to an 11-7 lead. A Jah Quinones three with more than eight minutes to play in the first half kept the Bears in front at 22-18. Then, South Carolina would go on a 10-3 run to take a 28-25 lead.

The Bears closed out the half with Bryant's third three-pointer of the half and two buckets from Alex Holt and Mercer trailed 36-32 at halftime.

2ND HALF

Each team knocked down shots at an efficient rate to start the second half. Mercer made five of its first seven shots of the second half, but the Gamecocks were able to maintain a slim lead in the opening minutes of the second half with the score, 48-44 South Carolina. Then, Ahamd Robinson and Angel Montas Jr. got going offensively in the middle of the second half as the duo combined to score the Bears' next 16 points.

A three-pointer from Robinson put the Bears ahead, 60-59 with more than 10 minutes to play. It gave Mercer its first lead since the first half. South Carolina would respond with an 11-2 scoring run to take a 70-62 lead with just under eight minutes to play. From there, the Gamecocks were able to prevent the Bears from going on a run and held on for the 84-72 win.

NOTABLES

+ Mercer went 12-for-26 (46.2%) from three-point range. It marked the third consecutive game the Bears made at least 12 three-pointers.
+ Mercer had 16 assists to South Carolina's 13.
+ Tyler Johnson went 4-for-9 from behind the arc. He has made at least three three-pointers in four of the first five games of the season.
+ TJ Grant had a season high 10 rebounds to lead all players.
+ Ahmad Robinson had a season high eight assists to go with 13 points and two rebounds.
+ Alex Holt went 7-of-13 (53.8%) from the field for 14 points. He has made at least 50 percent of his shots in four of the first five games of the season.

UP NEXT

Mercer will head to Fort Myers, Florida to play in the Fort Myers Tip-Off. The Bears will play two games in the tournament starting on Monday, Nov. 25 at 1:30 p.m. against Jacksonville. The Bears will then play on Tuesday against the winner or loser of Miami (OH) and Siena.

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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.