MACON, Ga. – The Citadel men's basketball team will now turn its attention to the postseason tournament after falling, 72-50, to Mercer in the regular season finale Saturday afternoon inside Hawkins Arena.
Game Information
Score: Mercer 72, The Citadel 50
Records: The Citadel (10-21, 5-13), Mercer (13-18, 6-12)
Location: Hawkins Arena (Macon, Georgia)
Series: Mercer leads 23-8
How it Happened
- After Mercer hit a three to start the game, the Bulldogs scored the next four points as freshmen Tony Carpio and Madison Durr scored to make it 4-3.
- The Bulldogs would fall behind by seven points, but got back-to-back baskets from AJ Smith and Stephen Clark to pull within three with 11:10 to play in the first half.
- The lead would grow back to 11 points for the Bears before Carpio closed out the half with a dunk to make it a 34-25 game at the half.
- The second half did not start the way the Bulldogs had hoped as the Bears went on a 14-0 run right out of the locker room.
- The Bulldogs answered back with a 9-0 run of their own sparked by five points from Elijah Morgan.
- Mercer would get the lead to 20 points with just under nine minutes remaining in the game, and it would stay in that range until the final buzzer.
Inside the Box Score
- Tony Carpio made his first career start and finished with nine points and six rebounds, with five of his rebounds coming on the offensive end.
- Stephen Clark led the way with 14 points, five rebounds, two blocks and three steals.
- Elijah Morgan was also in double figures with 11 points.
- The Citadel outrebounded Mercer, 31-29, overall and 11-9 on the offensive glass.
- The Bulldogs scored 38 of their 50 points in the paint.
Up Next
The same two teams will meet in the opening round of the Ingles Southern Conference Tournament on Friday, March 3 at 5 p.m. inside the Harrah's Cherokee Center in Asheville, North Carolina.
