College Basketball

Mercer defense stymies Brewton-Parker, Bears win 87-53

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:26 p.m. ET

foxsports

MACON, Ga. (AP) Ria'n Holland had 24 points and Demetre Rivers added 18 as Mercer drubbed NAIA-Brewton-Parker 87-53 to open the season on Friday night.

Holland, who played for Wichita State before transferring to Indian Hills Community College, was 5 of 11 from beyond the arc and Rivers hit 8 of 15 field goal attempts. Stephon Jelks had 10 points and seven rebounds and Jordan Strawberry dished out 11 assists as the Bears dominated Brewton-Parker in the second half.

All 13 Bears put points on the board

The Wildcats managed to stay close, trailing only 45-35 at the break. They closed to 59-53 following a Jamelle Lanier 3-pointer with 12:25 remaining in the game. Mercer answered with a 28-0 run, making 22 consecutive defensive stops, to close out the game as the Wildcats failed to score in the final 12:08.

McKel Miller led Brewton Parker with 11 points. Myles White added nine points.