Bears Maul Sam Houston, 60-38, in CBE Opener

Final	1	2	T
Sam Houston St. (1-1)	13	25	38
Mercer (2-1)	23	37	60
Macon, Ga. - University Center

Sam Houston St.	Mercer
Pts: 2 Players (#11, #20 - 9)	Pts: HALL, Langston - 24
Reb: Holyfield, Michael - 6	Reb: THOMAS, Bud - 8
Ast: Gatson, Darius - 2	Ast: THOMAS, Bud - 5

Team Statistics	Sam Houston St.	Mercer
Field Goal %	30.2% (13-43 )	38.5% (20-52 )
Rebounds	25	43
Assists	3	12
Turnovers	17	17
Pts off Turnovers	9	12
2nd Chance Pts	6	17
Pts in the Paint	16	16
Fastbreak Pts	2	4
Bench Pts	7	25

full stats

MACON, Ga. – For the second game in a row, Mercer University’s men’s basketball team mounted a stellar defensive effort and rode it to a big victory, crushing Sam Houston State University, 60-38, on Day 1 of the Progressive CBE Classic.

The Bears’ (3-1) 38 points permitted to SHSU is the fewest to an MU opponent since a 35-33 loss to Vanderbilt on December 11, 1976. Coming off of a 20-point win at Furman last week in which the team allowed 46 points, it was an effort that did not escape notice by MU head coach Bob Hoffman

”Our staff’s doing an unbelievable job,” Hoffman praised. “I’m just so thankful that I have the kind of staff I have who are working (the players). They’re doing a great job with them and the guys are buying into it.  the mindset of these guys is staying fresh and I think that’s why our defense is at this level.

“It’s just fun to watch and fun to be a part of that they are taking so much pride in each other, and pride in getting those stops.”

Sam Houston State scored the opening basket just 22 seconds into the game. Neither team scored for the next four minutes until a Mercer free throw by Monty Brown on the front end of a two-shot foul at 15:22.  From that point, MU scored the next 12 points and went on a 17-1 run overall for a 17-3 advantage with 8:04 left in the half, thanks to a three-pointer from Justin Cecil.

The 14 point cushion was the Bears largest lead of the opening period, also holding a 23-9 bulge with 2:09 left in the period. MU would take a 10-point cushion – 23-13 – into then halftime locker room after a late surge by the BearKats cut into the host’s lead.

In the second half, SHSU cut the lead to eight with 13:34 left to play. But, much like the first stanza, MU launched out on a run with 13 unanswered points to take firm control, 47-26, with 9:30 left to play. The Bears’ lead never slipped below 19 points the rest of the way.

Mercer’s offense was paced by sophomore Langston Hall’s career-high 24 points. Hall hot 8-15 from the field and was 6-11 from beyond the arc.

The only other MU player in double digits was sophomore center Monty Brown, who booked 11 points buoyed by a 7-9 effort from the free throw stripe. Brown also had five rebounds.

Bud Thomas had a game-high eight rebounds and Paul Larsen added seven caroms. In all, MU out-boarded the BearKats by a healthy 43-25 margin (and a 19-10 edge on the offensive glass).

Mercer will face Niagara University in the CBE Classic’s second day action at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening. Niagara fell to South Dakota State University, 79-71, in the CBE’s Day No. 1 opening game.