GAME NOTES--SAMFORD VS. MERCER (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford men's basketball team will return home to play host to the Mercer Bears Saturday at 5 p.m. in the Pete Hanna Center.
 
Samford and Mercer have met 123 previous times, with Mercer owning a 74-49 series lead, though Samford has won the last three meetings. Last season, Samford earned a 78-69 win at home and a 70-69 overtime win at Mercer.
 
Samford enters Saturday night's game with a mark of 16-2 overall and 5-0 in SoCon play. The Bulldogs have won their last 16 games, the longest streak in program history and the longest current streak in the nation. Samford most recently earned a 75-71 win at Western Carolina Tuesday night.
 
So far this season, Samford has been led by junior Achor Achor, averaging 16.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, leading the team in both categories. Junior A.J. Staton-McCray is averaging 12.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Rylan Jones leads the team in assists, dishing out 5.4 assists per contest.
 
Entering this game, Samford ranks second in the nation in fastbreak points per game, averaging 18.28 per contest and three-point percentage at 41.0 percent. The Bulldogs also rank in the top 10 in the nation in scoring (3rd-90.6 ppg.), three-pointers per game (8th-10.7), turnovers forced per game (8th-17.72), assists per game (4th-19.7) and bench points per game (4th-37.61).
 
Samford currently leads the Southern Conference in scoring (90.6 ppg.), scoring margin (+15.6), field goal percentage (.495), three-point field goal percentage (.410), three-pointers made per game (10.7), free throw percentage (.742), turnover margin (3.61), assists (19.67 pg.) and steals (11.06 pg.).
 
The Mercer Bears enter Saturday night's game with a record of 8-10 overall and 1-4 in Southern Conference play. Mercer most recently hosted Chattanooga Wednesday evening. The Bears fell to the Mocs by a score of 74-60.
 
Mercer has been led so far this season by Jalyn McCreary, averaging 14.5 points per game. Jake Davis averages 9.6 points per game so far this season for the Bears. Jah Quinones leads Mercer in rebounding, grabbing 4.7 boards per game.
 
The game can be seen live on the ESPN+ and live stats will also be available. For links to watch and follow all of Samford's games this season, click on the following link: 2023-24 MBB SCHEDULE.
 
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS
For the latest news and information on Samford men's basketball, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordSports (Facebook), @SamfordMBB (Twitter), and @SamfordMBB (Instagra