February 22, 2012

Men’s Basketball Hosts Lipscomb in Key A-Sun Matchup

Game Notes

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer men's basketball team looks to shake off a two-game slide on Thursday, welcoming Lipscomb to the University Center for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.  The matchup between the Bears and Bison is a crucial contest with postseason implications for both squads.

Despite its recent woes, Mercer (20-9, 12-4 A-Sun) still has a chance to win the conference regular season title. If the Bears can win their final two games and Kennesaw State upsets Belmont on Thurs­day, Mercer will earn a share of the regular season championship and be granted the top seed in the league playoff.

A win over Lipscomb would also guarantee Mercer at least a No. 2 seed in the A-Sun tournament.

However, if Mercer falls to Lipscomb on Thursday, the team could be in danger of slipping to the third seed in the upcoming playoff.  The Bears currently hold a one-game lead on USC Upstate (18-11, 11-5 A-Sun) in the league standings.  The Spartans are also in action on Thursday, hosting Florida Gulf Coast at 7:30 p.m.

The difference between a No. 2 seed and a No. 3 seed is paramount, because the top two seeds in the tournament earn a day of rest if they can capture a first round victory. Seeds 3-8 must win three games in three days to capture the tournament title.

THE SERIES

Lipscomb holds a 12-7 lead in the all-time series despite dropping its last three games against Mer­cer. The last time the Bison topped the Bears was Decem­ber 4, 2010 in Nashville. Thursday's game is the second meeting between the teams this season after Mercer posted a 79-72 victory in Nashville on December 1, 2011.

SCOUTING THE BISON

Lipscomb has lost three-straight games since claiming its last victory in a 99-91 overtime win at Stetson on February 11. All told, the Bison have dropped six of their last eight games.

Lipscomb's two leading scorers, sophomore guard Robert Boyd and senior all-conference guard Jordan Burgason, have both been dismissed from the team. Boyd was ruled academically ineligible over Christmas break after averag­ing 11.2 points per game. Burgason was removed from the roster on Feb. 10 after a violation of team rules. Prior to his departure, he averaged a team-best 16.4 points per game and led the nation in three-point shooting (52.6%).

Lipscomb ranks second among A-Sun teams in scoring average, posting an average of 73.6 points per game. Five Bison average between 8.0 and 9.6 points per game, with freshman Malcolm Smith pacing the team at 9.6 ppg.

Lipscomb's six freshmen have combined for 905 points, accounting for 43.5 percent of the team's scoring. Senior Justin Glenn leads the team and ranks third among con­ference players in rebounding average (7.2).

Despite its recent struggles, Lipscomb has clinched a berth in the A-Sun tournament with an overall record of 12-16 (7-9 A-Sun). The Bison are one game out of fourth place entering Thursday's contest.

GAME NOTES

Mercer's two-game skid marks only the second time this season the Bears have dropped consecutive games.  The Orange and Black haven't had three-straight losses the entire year.

Mercer is 11-1 at the University Center this season, including a perfect 7-0 mark against conference foes.

If Mercer can down Lipscomb, Bob Hoffman will have tied personal-best for wins as a Division I head coach. Hoff­man reached 21 wins at Texas-Pan American in 2001-02.