Mercer gets 1st league win, dominating Samford 81-50 (Jan 13, 2018)

By AP
Published

MACON, Ga. (AP) 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.