Mercer beats The Citadel behind Stephon Jelks' career day

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Stephon Jelks scored 24 points with 17 rebounds -- both career highs -- and Mercer beat The Citadel 91-80 on Saturday for the Bulldogs' fifth straight loss.

Jordan Strawberry scored 19 points, Demetre Rivers added 17 with three 3-pointers -- both career highs -- Phillip Leonard had 14, and Jestin Lewis 10 for the Bears (12-4, 2-1 Southern Conference).

Mercer outrebounded The Citadel 51-28 and held the Bulldogs well below their per-game average of 90.2 points.

Trailing by 12 at halftime, the Bulldogs pulled close on a 9-0 run in which P.J. Boutte and Brian White each hit 3s, but the Bears pulled away on a 12-3 run in which Strawberry scored seven. The Citadel hit four straight 3-pointers to close within 65-58 with 8:29 left, then made three straight with 22 seconds to go.

Connor Schroeder scored 14 points, Boutte 13 and Quayson Williams 11 for the Bulldogs, who hit 16-of-43 3-pointers and fell to 7-9, 0-3.

This story was originally published January 9, 2016 at 3:53 PM with the headline "Mercer beats The Citadel behind Stephon Jelks' career day ."