CHARLESTON, S.C. (January 17, 2022) – The Citadel's less-than-desirable evening shooting the ball Monday proved to be an advantage for guest Mercer, as the Bears took a 71-64 SoCon victory.
 
Game Information
Score: Mercer 71, The Citadel 64
Records: Mercer (11-7, 4-1), The Citadel (7-9, 1-4)
Location: McAlister Field House (Charleston, S.C.)
Series: Mercer leads 21-7
 
How it Happened

• The Bulldogs sported a different starting five for the first time since their second game of the season on Nov. 12. David Maynard and Jerry Higgins, III made their first starts of the season, including the first career start for Maynard.   
• The Citadel opened the game scoring the first five points, but were unable to get into a groove, making just 31.3 percent from the floor in the opening 20 minutes (10-32), going 2-of-14 from 3-point range and a perfect 4-of-4 on free throws.
• Mercer had similar luck shooting in the first half (37.0 percent, 10-27), although the Bears' slight advantage on 3-pointers (5-of-14) and free throws (7-of-11) gave them a 32-26 lead at the half.
• The Bears widened its lead to 16 to start the second half, and carried a 55.6 second-half shooting percentage (15-of-27) to the victory. The Bulldogs also fared better shooting in the closing session, making 42.3 percent (11-of-26).

 
Inside the Box Score

• Both ends' shooting efficiency was the pivotal outlier of an otherwise evenly-matched contest. The Bears made 46.3 percent (25-of-54), hitting 8-of-22 threes and 13-of-20 free throws. The Bulldogs finished at 36.2 percent (21-of-58), 5-of-24, and 17-of-23, respectively.
• Mercer held a slim 37-36 lead on the boards, while the Bulldogs and Bears finished tied 30-30 in points in the paint.
• Stephen Clark led all scorers with 18 points, then grabbed a team-best nine rebounds and five blocks before fouling out with just over six minutes to play.
• Hayden Brown made 11 of the Bulldogs' 17 free throws, finishing the night with 16 points and eight rebounds.
• David Maynard was the lone Bulldog to make multiple 3-pointers, making 2-of-5 for an eight-point night with three rebounds and two steals.
• Brent Davis finished with nine points, shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe.

 
Clark's Block Party

• Stephen Clark's five blocks Monday puts his season total at 45 swats and 107 for his career. He is one away from matching his total from last year that ranks seventh all-time, and is currently fifth all-time in the school career record books.

Up Next
The Bulldogs ship out this week with two conference road games at Wofford Wednesday at 7 p.m. and ETSU Saturday at 4 p.m.