Johnson's 24 Points Fuels Bears To 86-72 Win Over West Georgia

Wednesday, December 4

Macon, Ga.

11 a.m.

Mercer University

4-4,0-0SoCon

West Georgia

0-10,0-0ASUN

West Ga.

Mercer

Johnson's 24 Points Fuels Bears To 86-72 Win Over West Georgia

12/4/2024 1:44:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Johnson went 9-for-15 from the field on his way to 24 points

MACON, Ga. – Tyler Johnson scored 24 points to lead all scorers, as Mercer defeated West Georgia, 86-72 on Wednesday afternoon from Hawkins Arena.

The win was head coach Ryan Ridder's 100th career win as an NCAA Division I head coach.

The Bears shot 32-of-61 (52%) from the field compared to the Wolves who went 25-of-59 (42%) from the field. Mercer also controlled the glass as it outrebounded West Georgia 38-30. The Bears did a good job of protecting the ball as they committed a season low seven turnovers.

Johnson's 24 points came on 9-of-15 (60.0%) shooting including 5-for-11 (45.5%) from three-point range. Ahmad Robinson and Alex Holt were the other Mercer players to score in double figures. Robinson had 13 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Holt once again had an efficient shooting day going 5-for-6 (83.3%) from the field for 12 points. Holt also pulled down seven rebounds and had a season high five assists.

THE BASICS
SCORE: Mercer 86, West Georgia 72
RECORDS: Mercer 4-4 (0-0 SoCon); West Georgia, 0-10 (ASUN)
LOCATION: Macon, GA (Hawkins Arena)

HOW IT HAPPENED
1ST HALF
Mercer got off to a great start, jumping out to a 17-5 lead just over five minutes into the game. The Bears made seven of their first 10 field goal attempts, including three three-pointers, which were each made by a different player.

West Georgia responded with a run of their own and cut the Mercer lead to five at 19-14 with over 10 minutes to play in the first half. Mercer would then score the next eight points finished by a layup from Laurynas Vaistaras to go back up by double figures at 27-14. A fastbreak layup from Shoulders gave Mercer its largest lead of the first half at 37-22 with just over two minutes to play in the first half. The Bears would take a 40-29 lead into halftime.

2ND HALF
Cam Bryant and Johnson combined to score Mercer's first 13 points of the second half as the Bears stretched their lead to 18 points at 55-37. Another fastbreak layup by Johnson closed out a 15-2 run for the Bears who took a 23-point lead - their largest of the game - at 62-39 with more than 13 minutes to go in the game.

West Georgia chipped away at Mercer's lead over the next few minutes and got within 13 points at 64-51 with nine minutes to play. Mercer would then connect on two three-pointers from Jah Quinones and Johnson to go back up by 19 points at 70-51. Mercer led 77-57 with just under five minutes to play, before the Wolves went on a 10-0 run in a two-minute span to make it a 77-67 lead for the Bears. Johnson put an end to the run with his fifth three-pointer of the game and the Bears made free throws the rest of the way for an 86-72 win.

NOTABLES
+ Mercer moves to 2-0 against ASUN teams this season,with its other ASUN win over Jacksonville.
+ Coach Ridder earned his 100th career win as an NCAA Division I head coach.
+ The Bears had a season low seven turnovers.
+ Points in the paint were 40-28, Mercer.
+ The Bears had 20 assists on 32 made field goals.
+ Johnson's 24 points were the second most he's scored in a game this season (26 at South Alabama)
+ Cam Bryant tied his career high with six assists.
+ Brady Shoulders scored all nine of his points in the first half and tied his career high with seven rebounds.
+ Alex Holt scored in double figures for the fourth consecutive game. He also had a season high four blocks.

UP NEXT
Mercer goes back on the road to face another ASUN opponent as part of the SoCon/ASUN challenge. The Bears will be in DeLand, Florida on Sunday, Dec. 8 to play Stetson. Tip off is at 3 p.m.

STAY CONNECTED
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