"Defense" is the Word for Men's Basketball in Week 3 NCAA Statistics

MACON, Ga. – Mercer University’s strong team defense continues to show through in the latest NCAA Division I statistical rankings released on December 12.

The Bears (7-3 overall) are ranked 27^th in the nation for field goal percentage defense with opponents managing to hit just 37.3 percent from the floor through games of Dec. 11. MU is also 80^th in rebound margin at a plus-4.3 boards per game.

Mercer’s squad is also No. 60 in steals per game (8.4) and No. 64 in blocked shots per game (4.8).

MU is also the 42^nd-best free throw shooting team in Division I, hitting charity tosses at a clip of 73.6 percent.

That number is buoyed by redshirt sophomore Jakob Gollon, who has moved up to No. 7 for individual free throw percentage. Gollon has hit 93.9 percent of his shots (31-33) from the line (Mike Venezia of Colgate leads the nation at 96.0 percent).

Sophomore center Daniel Coursey is No. 59 in blocked shots, averaging 2.0 per game. Coursey has amassed a total of 20 rejections through MU’s first 10 contests.