Mercer asserted its dominance over Virginia Military Institute, winning 95-81 at Hawkins Arena. The Bears' victory was fueled by a strong performance from Baraka Okojie, who scored 24 points and dished out 7 assists. Okojie's impressive outing was complemented by Armani Mighty's 17 points and 8 rebounds, as well as Kyle Cuffe Jr.'s 17 points. The trio's collective effort allowed Mercer to dictate the pace of the game, ultimately leading to a convincing 14-point win.
TJ Johnson was the lone bright spot for VMI, scoring 26 points and grabbing 5 rebounds. Johnson's efforts were supported by Linus Holmstrom's 17 points and 5 rebounds, and Tan Yildizoglu's 13 points and 10 assists. However, their individual performances were not enough to overcome the Bears' balanced attack. At halftime, Mercer held a 43-37 lead, which they expanded to 52-44 in the second half, outscoring VMI by 8 points in the final 20 minutes.
The CHD Scout prediction had Mercer winning by 15.2 points, and while the actual margin was slightly lower, the Bears' victory was never truly in doubt. The predicted score of 85-70 was close, but Mercer's high-powered offense exceeded expectations, scoring 95 points. The accuracy of the prediction is a reflection of the Bears' consistency and VMI's struggles this season.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The win keeps Mercer on track, improving their record to 15-8. The Bears' performance will likely have a positive impact on their tournament resume, as this game was classified as a Quadrant 4 matchup. While it may not be a marquee win, it is still an important victory for Mercer, as they continue to build momentum. On the other hand, VMI's loss drops them to 6-17, and this game was considered a Quadrant 2 matchup for the Keydets. Despite the loss, VMI's performance in this game will still be viewed as a respectable effort, given the significant difference in net ranking between the two teams.
Mercer's ability to take care of business against a lesser opponent is a crucial aspect of their tournament hopes. The Bears' current net ranking of 127 suggests they still have work to do to secure a spot in the tournament. However, with performances like this, they are moving in the right direction. As the season enters its final stretch, Mercer must continue to rack up wins, especially against tougher opponents, to bolster their resume. For now, this win over VMI is a step in the right direction, and the Bears want to build on this momentum in their upcoming games.