Mercer heads out on the road for tough trip

Mercer has made program history with its best start since joining the NCAA Division I ranks. And Southern Conference play tips off Jan. 2 against Samford.

In between comes a tough road trip, starting Tuesday at Auburn. After Tuesday's game, the Bears (8-1) head to Arkansas, Ohio State and Kennesaw State to close the calendar year.

Auburn enters Tuesday's game with a 4-2 record. Mercer leads the all-time series 16-15, including a 78-74 win in 2008.

The Bears have been off since beating Alcorn State on Dec. 5. Senior Phillip Leonard and sophomore Stephon Jelks lead the team in scoring, with both averaging 11.1 points per game. Leonard is also averaging 5.4 assists and 4.4 rebounds.

Jestin Lewis is the third Mercer player scoring in double figures, averaging 10.0 points, and there are eight Bears averaging at least 6.0 points.

The Bears' road trip continues Saturday against the Razorbacks before facing the Buckeyes on Dec. 22.

This story was originally published December 14, 2015 at 6:42 PM with the headline "Mercer heads out on the road for tough trip ."