Mercer gets 1st league win, dominating Samford 81-50
MACON, Ga. -- Ria'n Holland had 23 points and Stephon Jelks added 13 with 11 rebounds as Mercer won its first Southern Conference game in dominating fashion, thumping Samford 81-50 on Saturday afternoon.
Holland was 6 of 10, making four from distance, for 18 points in the first half as Mercer (8-9, 1-3) sprinted to a 44-16 halftime advantage. Samford was just 5 of 21 (24 percent) from the floor in the half. Mercer shot 47 percent (16-34) in the first half and finished hitting 31 of 64 attempts.
Samford (7-11, 3-2) improved to shoot 32 percent for the game.
Mercer romped to a 12-0 lead and was up 29-7 with 6:48 remaining in the first period.
Demetre Rivers added 11 points with five assists and Desmond Ringer added eight points with 11 rebounds as Mercer won the rebound battle 43-26.
Triston Chambers and Justin Coleman led Samford with 11 and 10 points respectively.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Billy Dunlap
- Barry Mathis
- Michael Husted
2023-24 Southern Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Samford | 15-3 | - | 29-6 |
UNC Greensboro | 12-6 | 3 | 21-11 |
Chattanooga | 12-6 | 3 | 21-12 |
Western Carolina | 11-7 | 4 | 22-10 |
Wofford | 10-8 | 5 | 17-15 |
Furman | 10-8 | 5 | 17-16 |
East Tennessee State | 8-10 | 7 | 19-16 |
Mercer | 8-10 | 7 | 16-17 |
The Citadel | 3-15 | 12 | 11-21 |
VMI | 1-17 | 14 | 4-28 |