Balanced Mercer defeats VMI 68-50 in SoCon (Jan 05, 2017)

By AP
Published

MACON, Ga. (AP) Demetre Rivers scored 11 points and Ria'n Holland 10 as Mercer dominated inside to defeat VMI 68-50 on Thursday night.

Desmond Ringer chipped in nine points while Stephon Jelks and Ryan Johnson added eight each in the balanced attack by Mercer (7-9, 1-2), picking up its first Southern Conference win. Ten players scored for Mercer, which made 28 of 60 field-goal attempts for 47 percent and never trailed.

The Bears outrebounded VMI 44-27, outscored the Keydets 34-24 on points in the paint and 15-8 on points off turnovers.

QJ Peterson scored 18 points to lead the Keydets (3-10, 0-2), his 13th game scoring in double figures. Trey Chapman added 12 points with nine rebounds.

A layup by Jelks sparked an 11-2 run early in the first half that put the Bears ahead 17-6 with 9:21 remaining before the break. Mercer added a 17-0 run after halftime as VMI was scoreless for more than six minutes.