Mercer set for one more home game before road trip

Mercer has an important road trip starting next week, but before the Bears head out to face Auburn, Arkansas, Ohio State and Kennesaw State, they have one more home game to play this calendar year.

Mercer hosts Alcorn State on Saturday in the team’s final home non-conference home game this season. The Braves are searching for their first win after four losses to open the season. The two teams have played twice with the most recent meeting coming in 2013 and the Bears winning 70-44. Mercer also won 103-101 in 1983.

The Braves are led by Reginald Johnson, who is averaging 11.3 points per game, while Marquis Vance is averaging 10.7 points and a team-high 7.2 rebounds.

Mercer’s 7-1 record matches the program’s best start since the 1984-85 season. A win Saturday would give the Bears their best start since joining the NCAA Division I ranks in 1973.

Senior Phillip Leonard has played well early this season for the Bears, leading the team with 12.4 points and 5.3 assists per game. He is also averaging 4.6 rebounds per game.

Sophomore Stephon Jelks (11.3) and senior Jestin Lewis (10.0) are also scoring in double figures, while the Bears have four other players averaging more than 6.0 points per game: freshman Ethan Stair (9.1) and sophomores Demetre Rivers (8.1), Jordan Strawberry (6.9) and Desmond Ringer (6.8).

Mercer plays Dec. 15 at Auburn, Dec. 19 at Arkansas, Dec. 22 at Ohio State and Dec. 30 at Kennesaw State. The Bears open Southern Conference play when they host Samford on Jan 2.

This story was originally published December 4, 2015 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Mercer set for one more home game before road trip ."