Video (ESPN3)  |  Radio (91.1 FM)  |  Live Stats  |  Tickets  |  Game Notes

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Samford University basketball team will continue play in its key three-game Southern Conference homestand Monday at 7 p.m. (CT) as the Bulldogs square off against the Mercer Bears in a pivotal late-season league showdown to be held at the Pete Hanna Center.
 
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3, as well as on the radio at 91.1 FM locally with "Voice of the Bulldogs" Blake Gardner calling the action from his spot on press row. The ESPN3 crew for the contest will be Ryan Brown (Play-by-play), Murry Bartow (Color) and Hattie Breece (Sideline).
 
SAMFORD BASKETBALL PRE-GAME CAPSULE
Mercer Bears at Samford Bulldogs | Monday, Feb. 12
 
TIP:  7 p.m. (CT), at the Pete Hanna Center in Birmingham
 
WEBSTREAM:  ESPN3
 
RADIO:  91.1 FM locally in Birmingham

SAMFORD
1). The Bulldogs (9-18, 5-9 SoCon) enter Monday's contest with a full head of steam after earning a 116-103 victory against The Citadel on Saturday. Samford knocked down 16 3-pointers in the matchup and shot a sizzling 67.8 percent from the field.
 
2). Senior guard Demetrius Denzel-Dyson is only 12 points shy of reaching the 1,000-point plateau. By achieving the feat, he would become just the third player in school history to accomplish the deed in two seasons, joining Craig Beard (1982-84) and Tim Williams (2012-14).
 
3). The Bulldogs' Justin Coleman is ranked No. 13 in the nation in assists this season. Coleman, Samford's lightning-quick junior point guard, has already handed out a SoCon-best 165 assists.
 
4). Samford will be meeting Mercer for the 112th time in school history Monday. The Bears own a
65-46 advantage in the series and have won nine straight games against the Bulldogs. Samford's last victory in the series occurred Feb. 23, 2002, as the Bulldogs defeated Mercer, 69-49, at home in Seibert Hall.
 
5). In its first meeting with Mercer this season, Samford was outrebounded by the Bears, 43-26, and shot a frigid 32.1 percent from the field in an 81-50 road loss held Jan. 13.
 
MERCER
1). The Bears (12-13, 5-7 SoCon) head into Monday's game riding a wave of positive momentum after earning back-to-back victories against Wofford, 73-65, and Chattanooga, 84-75, last week. In its road win at Chattanooga on Saturday, Mercer's Desmond Ringer scored a team-high 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field.
 
2). Stephon Jelks and Jordan Strawberry have both eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for their careers this season. Jelks reached the point in January, while Strawberry joined the elite club earlier this month.
 
3). Mercer's Strawberry is nationally-ranked in assist-turnover ratio. Heading into Monday's contest, the Bears' senior guard owns a solid 2.8 assist-turnover ratio this season.
 
4). Jelks, Mercer's 6-foot-6 forward from Marietta, Georgia, currently leads the SoCon with six double-doubles. He is also the conference's active career leader in rebounds with 781.
 
5). Earlier this year, Mercer head coach Bob Hoffman reached the 500^th victory plateau in his career when the Bears topped VMI on the road, 62-56.
 
INSIDE STUFF
In home games this season, Samford is shooting a solid 53.1 percent from the field and owns an 8-4 record. Conversely, the Bulldogs are only shooting 42.3 percent from the floor in road games and are 1-14 in away contests this year.
 
NEXT
Following Monday's matchup, the Samford University basketball team will next be in action Saturday at 1 p.m. (CT) as the Bulldogs conclude their three-game SoCon homestand against the Furman Paladins in a Senior Day contest to be held at the Pete Hanna Center. Prior to the game, Samford will be honoring its seniors with a special Senior Day presentation.
 
TWITTER
For quick score updates, breaking news and links to all of your favorite articles featuring the Bulldogs, please follow @SamfordHoopsFOE and @Samford_Sports on Twitter.

Video (ESPN3)  |  Radio (91.1 FM)  |  Live Stats  |  Tickets  |  Game Notes