Mercer faces quick turnaround after emotional win

After what head coach Bob Hoffman called one of the best wins of his coaching career Saturday, the task gets even tougher for Mercer.

The Bears capped an emotional week with a win over The Citadel just four days after senior Jibri Bryan was killed, and they will have to maintain the energy they showed in that win when they host Chattanooga on Monday. The Mocs are 21-3 overall and 10-1 in Southern Conference play, while the Bears are 18-6 and 8-3. Chattanooga beat Mercer 74-62 last month.

"It will be really hard for us. Chattanooga's a great team. We understand that," Hoffman said after his team's 88-72 win Saturday. "I know our guys are spent right now. We'll try to regroup a little bit (Sunday) and figure out what we're going to do. We probably won't do a whole lot, but eat a little bit, try to rest some and get some energy in our tanks, so we can come out and play a tremendous team here. If we could have the kind of crowds we've been having, the energy is amazing in the building, that helps us get through those lulls."

The Bears played in front of a Hawkins Arena record crowd for the second time since the new year as 4,772 fans took in Saturday's game. Mercer played without starters Jestin Lewis and Desmond Ringer, who were suspended, and there hasn't been an announcement about their availability moving forward.

"We've just got to put this game behind us," said sophomore Demetre Rivers, who filled some of Lewis' scoring role with 16 points and eight rebounds. "It's a done deal; we got the win. But we've just got to look forward to when Chatt comes in here and play our best against them and stay focused."

Junior Andrew Fishler filled some of Ringer's minutes, finishing with 20 points and 10 rebounds. He said the players will be ready for the quick turnaround.

"I don't think it will be that hard as long as we stick to what we're supposed to do and stay with each and just keep working hard," Fishler said.

This story was originally published February 7, 2016 at 8:54 PM with the headline "Mercer faces quick turnaround after emotional win ."