MACON, Ga. (AP) Jalyn McCreary had 22 points in Mercer Bears's 80-54 victory over VMI Keydets on Saturday.
McCreary added seven rebounds and three steals for the Bears (12-13, 5-7 Southern Conference). Braden Sparks scored 15 points and added five rebounds. Michael Zanoni recorded 13 points and was 4 of 10 shooting, including 3 for 7 from distance, and went 2 for 4 from the line.
Tony Felder led the way for the Keydets (6-19, 1-11) with 17 points and eight rebounds. Asher Woods added 15 points for VMI. Tyler Houser also had six points.
Mercer took the lead with 9:50 remaining in the first half and never looked back. The score was 39-26 at halftime, with Sparks racking up 12 points. Mercer pulled away with a 12-2 run in the second half to extend a 17-point lead to 27 points. They outscored VMI by 13 points in the final half, as McCreary led the way with a team-high 12 second-half points.
NEXT UP
Both teams next play Wednesday. Mercer hosts Samford while VMI hosts Furman.
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1st Half
VMI
Keydets
26
MER
Bears
39
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Tyler Houser vs. Jalyn McCreary (Harrison Drake gains possession)
19:45
Braden Sparks misses three point jump shot
19:43
Harrison Drake offensive rebound
19:34
Jalyn McCreary misses two point jump shot
19:32
Tyler Houser defensive rebound
18:59
Tyler Houser misses two point jump shot
18:57
Braden Sparks defensive rebound
18:49
+2
Braden Sparks makes two point pullup jump shot
0-2
18:26
+2
Asher Woods makes two point turnaround jump shot
2-2
18:05
+3
Braden Sparks makes three point jump shot (Shawn Walker Jr. assists)
2-5
17:49
Tony Felder turnover (Braden Sparks steals)
17:47
Tony Felder personal foul
17:35
+3
Braden Sparks makes three point jump shot
2-8
17:11
Tony Felder misses two point jump shot
17:09
Taeshaud Jackson offensive rebound
17:09
Taeshaud Jackson offensive foul
17:09
Taeshaud Jackson turnover (offensive foul)
16:53
Braden Sparks misses three point jump shot
16:51
Taeshaud Jackson defensive rebound
16:35
+3
Asher Woods makes three point jump shot (Tony Felder assists)
5-8
16:12
Jah Quinones misses three point jump shot
16:10
Taeshaud Jackson defensive rebound
15:52
+2
Tony Felder makes two point driving layup
7-8
15:36
Jalyn McCreary misses two point stepback jump shot
15:34
Taeshaud Jackson defensive rebound
15:22
Tony Felder turnover (10-second violation)
15:22
TV timeout
15:14
+2
Jalyn McCreary makes two point driving layup
7-10
14:44
Sean Conway turnover (bad pass)
14:21
Jah Quinones turnover (Asher Woods steals)
14:11
+3
Tony Felder makes three point jump shot
10-10
14:11
Kamar Robertson shooting foul (Tony Felder draws the foul)
14:11
+1
Tony Felder makes regular free throw 1 of 1
11-10
13:56
Luis Hurtado Jr. misses three point jump shot
13:54
Taeshaud Jackson defensive rebound
13:42
Tony Felder turnover (Shawn Walker Jr. steals)
13:28
Jalyn McCreary misses two point jump shot
13:26
Tyler Houser defensive rebound
13:06
Asher Woods misses three point jump shot
13:04
Taeshaud Jackson offensive rebound
13:03
+2
Taeshaud Jackson makes two point putback layup
13-10
13:03
Bears 30 second timeout
12:47
+3
Harrison Drake makes three point jump shot (James Glisson III assists)
13-13
12:21
+2
Tyler Houser makes two point hook shot
15-13
11:52
Michael Zanoni turnover (Tyler Houser steals)
11:47
Shawn Walker Jr. shooting foul (Taeshaud Jackson draws the foul)
11:47
TV timeout
11:47
Taeshaud Jackson misses regular free throw 1 of 2
11:47
+1
Taeshaud Jackson makes regular free throw 2 of 2
16-13
11:28
+3
Harrison Drake makes three point jump shot (Braden Sparks assists)
16-16
11:04
Jump ball. (Keydets gains possession)
10:50
Asher Woods turnover (shot clock violation)
10:39
Michael Zanoni misses three point jump shot
10:37
Taeshaud Jackson defensive rebound
10:14
Taeshaud Jackson misses three point jump shot
10:12
David Craig defensive rebound
9:55
Jump ball. (Bears gains possession)
9:50
+3
Harrison Drake makes three point jump shot (Braden Sparks assists)
16-19
9:48
Keydets 30 second timeout
9:33
Sean Conway misses two point jump shot
9:31
Michael Zanoni defensive rebound
9:22
+3
Braden Sparks makes three point jump shot
16-22
8:52
Tyler Houser misses two point hook shot
8:50
David Craig defensive rebound
8:50
Sam Wolfe personal foul (David Craig draws the foul)
8:42
Asher Woods personal foul
8:33
James Glisson III misses three point jump shot
8:31
Tyler Houser defensive rebound
8:31
David Craig personal foul
8:03
Sean Conway misses three point jump shot
8:01
Michael Zanoni defensive rebound
7:46
James Glisson III misses two point jump shot
7:44
Taeshaud Jackson defensive rebound
7:26
Tony Felder misses two point jump shot
7:24
David Craig defensive rebound
7:12
James Glisson III misses three point jump shot
7:10
David Craig offensive rebound
7:03
+3
Kamar Robertson makes three point jump shot
16-25
6:38
Asher Woods misses two point layup
6:37
Keydets offensive rebound
6:37
TV timeout
6:31
Asher Woods misses two point reverse layup
6:29
Michael Zanoni defensive rebound
6:24
+2
James Glisson III makes two point layup
16-27
6:24
Taeshaud Jackson shooting foul (James Glisson III draws the foul)
6:24
+1
James Glisson III makes regular free throw 1 of 1
16-28
6:13
Michael Zanoni personal foul (Tony Felder draws the foul)
6:03
+3
Asher Woods makes three point jump shot (Tony Felder assists)
19-28
5:46
+2
Jalyn McCreary makes two point layup
19-30
5:29
Sean Conway misses two point layup
5:27
Braden Sparks defensive rebound
5:19
Jalyn McCreary misses two point layup
5:17
Tony Felder defensive rebound
5:11
Sean Conway turnover (Michael Zanoni steals)
4:59
Jalyn McCreary misses two point jump shot
4:57
Devin Butler defensive rebound
4:49
Asher Woods turnover (Jalyn McCreary steals)
4:29
+2
Michael Zanoni makes two point jump shot (Jalyn McCreary assists)
19-32
4:28
Jalyn McCreary personal foul
4:15
Tony Felder misses three point jump shot
4:13
Michael Zanoni defensive rebound
4:06
Kamar Robertson misses three point jump shot
4:04
Jalyn McCreary offensive rebound
3:59
+2
Jalyn McCreary makes two point layup
19-34
3:42
Sean Conway misses three point jump shot
3:40
Michael Zanoni defensive rebound
3:35
+2
Jalyn McCreary makes two point layup (Braden Sparks assists)
19-36
3:35
Keydets 30 second timeout
3:35
TV timeout
3:12
+2
Asher Woods makes two point pullup jump shot
21-36
2:47
+2
Jalyn McCreary makes two point jump shot
21-38
2:29
Asher Woods misses two point jump shot
2:27
Jalyn McCreary defensive rebound
2:16
Asher Woods shooting foul (Braden Sparks draws the foul)
2:16
+1
Braden Sparks makes regular free throw 1 of 2
21-39
2:16
Braden Sparks misses regular free throw 2 of 2
2:16
Taeshaud Jackson defensive rebound
1:59
+2
Taeshaud Jackson makes two point layup
23-39
1:50
Michael Zanoni misses two point jump shot
1:48
Shawn Walker Jr. offensive rebound
1:38
Michael Zanoni misses three point jump shot
1:36
Taeshaud Jackson defensive rebound
1:29
Harrison Drake blocks Sean Conway's two point layup
1:27
Braden Sparks defensive rebound
1:21
Taeshaud Jackson shooting foul (Michael Zanoni draws the foul)
1:21
Michael Zanoni misses regular free throw 1 of 2
1:21
Michael Zanoni misses regular free throw 2 of 2
1:21
Devin Butler defensive rebound
1:04
+3
Tony Felder makes three point jump shot (Asher Woods assists)
26-39
0:46
Michael Zanoni misses three point jump shot
0:44
Tony Felder defensive rebound
0:27
Tony Felder turnover (bad pass) (Harrison Drake steals)
0:06
Braden Sparks misses two point jump shot
0:01
Tony Felder defensive rebound
0:00
Asher Woods misses three point jump shot
0:00
Bears defensive rebound
0:00
End of period
2nd Half
VMI
Keydets
28
MER
Bears
41
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:46
Asher Woods misses two point layup
19:44
Tony Felder offensive rebound
19:37
+2
Asher Woods makes two point layup
28-39
19:17
Jalyn McCreary misses two point jump shot
19:15
Jalyn McCreary offensive rebound
19:05
Harrison Drake misses three point jump shot
19:03
Taeshaud Jackson defensive rebound
18:50
Asher Woods turnover (Braden Sparks steals)
18:44
+2
Harrison Drake makes two point layup
28-41
18:23
Jah Quinones shooting foul (Tyler Houser draws the foul)
18:23
+1
Tyler Houser makes regular free throw 1 of 2
29-41
18:23
+1
Tyler Houser makes regular free throw 2 of 2
30-41
18:04
Jalyn McCreary misses two point layup
18:02
Asher Woods defensive rebound
17:44
Devin Butler misses three point jump shot
17:42
Jah Quinones defensive rebound
17:33
Jah Quinones misses two point layup
17:31
Jalyn McCreary offensive rebound
17:23
+2
Jalyn McCreary makes two point layup
30-43
17:12
+2
Tony Felder makes two point pullup jump shot
32-43
16:56
Jah Quinones misses three point jump shot
16:54
Asher Woods defensive rebound
16:40
Devin Butler misses three point jump shot
16:38
Shawn Walker Jr. defensive rebound
16:21
Jalyn McCreary misses two point jump shot
16:19
Devin Butler defensive rebound
16:09
+2
Tyler Houser makes two point layup
34-43
16:02
Bears 30 second timeout
15:58
Kamar Robertson misses three point jump shot
15:56
Tony Felder defensive rebound
15:51
Sam Wolfe turnover (out of bounds)
15:51
TV timeout
15:33
James Glisson III misses three point jump shot
15:31
Asher Woods defensive rebound
15:11
Tyler Houser turnover (double dribble)
14:57
Sam Wolfe personal foul (David Craig draws the foul)
14:56
Devin Butler shooting foul (Michael Zanoni draws the foul)
14:56
+1
Michael Zanoni makes regular free throw 1 of 2
34-44
14:56
+1
Michael Zanoni makes regular free throw 2 of 2
34-45
14:39
Devin Butler misses three point jump shot
14:37
Kamar Robertson defensive rebound
14:29
James Glisson III misses three point jump shot
14:27
Sam Wolfe defensive rebound
14:11
James Glisson III blocks Tony Felder's three point jump shot
14:09
James Glisson III defensive rebound
14:02
+3
Kamar Robertson makes three point stepback jump shot
34-48
13:34
+3
Asher Woods makes three point pullup bank jump shot
37-48
13:13
+2
Shawn Walker Jr. makes two point pullup jump shot
37-50
12:58
+3
Sam Wolfe makes three point jump shot (Tony Felder assists)
40-50
12:56
Keydets 30 second timeout
12:47
Kamar Robertson misses two point jump shot
12:45
David Craig offensive rebound
12:36
+2
Jalyn McCreary makes two point layup (David Craig assists)
40-52
12:23
Asher Woods turnover (David Craig steals)
12:19
Tony Felder personal foul (Harrison Drake draws the foul)
12:12
+2
Kamar Robertson makes two point pullup jump shot
40-54
12:12
+3
Sam Wolfe makes three point jump shot (Asher Woods assists)
43-54
11:11
David Craig misses two point layup
11:09
Keydets defensive rebound
11:09
TV timeout
10:47
Asher Woods turnover (Jalyn McCreary steals)
10:39
Asher Woods shooting foul (Shawn Walker Jr. draws the foul)
10:39
Shawn Walker Jr. misses regular free throw 1 of 2
10:39
+1
Shawn Walker Jr. makes regular free throw 2 of 2
43-55
10:26
Braden Sparks personal foul
10:09
Asher Woods turnover (traveling)
9:50
+3
Braden Sparks makes three point jump shot (Shawn Walker Jr. assists)
43-58
9:30
+2
Tony Felder makes two point driving layup
45-58
9:30
Harrison Drake shooting foul (Tony Felder draws the foul)
9:30
+1
Tony Felder makes regular free throw 1 of 1
46-58
9:16
+3
Shawn Walker Jr. makes three point jump shot (Michael Zanoni assists)
46-61
8:39
Taeshaud Jackson turnover (shot clock violation)
8:29
Michael Zanoni misses three point jump shot
8:27
Devin Butler defensive rebound
8:10
Tony Felder misses three point jump shot
8:08
Harrison Drake defensive rebound
7:57
+3
Michael Zanoni makes three point jump shot (Shawn Walker Jr. assists)
46-64
7:33
Taeshaud Jackson misses two point layup
7:31
Michael Zanoni defensive rebound
7:33
Taeshaud Jackson personal foul
7:33
TV timeout
7:19
Shawn Walker Jr. misses three point jump shot
7:17
Tony Felder defensive rebound
6:53
Devin Butler misses three point jump shot
6:51
Tony Felder offensive rebound
6:32
Tony Felder misses three point jump shot
6:30
Braden Sparks defensive rebound
6:21
+2
Jalyn McCreary makes two point layup (Harrison Drake assists)
46-66
6:00
+3
Tony Felder makes three point jump shot
49-66
5:44
Braden Sparks misses three point jump shot
5:42
Taeshaud Jackson defensive rebound
5:26
Michael Zanoni personal foul (Devin Butler draws the foul)
5:19
Asher Woods turnover (bad pass)
5:10
Tyler Houser shooting foul (Jalyn McCreary draws the foul)
5:10
+1
Jalyn McCreary makes regular free throw 1 of 2
49-67
5:10
Jalyn McCreary misses regular free throw 2 of 2
5:10
Tyler Houser defensive rebound
4:55
Taeshaud Jackson misses three point jump shot
4:53
Harrison Drake defensive rebound
4:33
Braden Sparks misses three point jump shot
4:31
Jalyn McCreary offensive rebound
4:25
Jalyn McCreary misses two point jump shot
4:23
Taeshaud Jackson defensive rebound
4:15
Tyler Houser turnover (3-second violation)
4:02
Jalyn McCreary misses two point layup
4:00
Jalyn McCreary offensive rebound
3:54
+2
Jalyn McCreary makes two point layup
49-69
3:41
Shawn Walker Jr. personal foul (Asher Woods draws the foul)
3:41
TV timeout
3:26
Asher Woods turnover (Jalyn McCreary steals)
3:03
Taeshaud Jackson shooting foul (Jalyn McCreary draws the foul)
3:03
+1
Jalyn McCreary makes regular free throw 1 of 2
49-70
3:03
Jalyn McCreary misses regular free throw 2 of 2
3:03
Devin Butler defensive rebound
2:53
Devin Butler misses two point layup
2:51
Devin Butler offensive rebound
2:42
+2
Devin Butler makes two point layup
51-70
2:26
+3
Michael Zanoni makes three point jump shot (Jalyn McCreary assists)
51-73
2:12
Sam Wolfe misses three point jump shot
2:10
Shawn Walker Jr. defensive rebound
2:00
Braden Sparks misses two point layup
1:58
Jalyn McCreary offensive rebound
1:58
+2
Jalyn McCreary makes two point putback layup
51-75
1:55
Bears 30 second timeout
1:55
Tony Felder misses two point jump shot
1:53
Braden Sparks defensive rebound
1:25
+3
Michael Zanoni makes three point jump shot (Braden Sparks assists)
51-78
1:10
+3
Devin Butler makes three point jump shot (Sam Wolfe assists)
54-78
0:50
Michael Zanoni misses two point jump shot
0:48
Tony Felder defensive rebound
0:46
Diego Rivera personal foul (Asher Woods draws the foul)
