Mercer beats The Citadel 88-72 while mourning teammate

Feb 6, 2016, 07:06 pm

MACON, Ga. -- Andrew Fishler recorded a career-high 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead Mercer over The Citadel 88-72 on Saturday.

It was the first game Mercer has played since the passing of Jibri Bryan, a sixth-year senior and graduate student, on Tuesday. Bryan was shot and killed in Macon, Georgia, while sitting in a car in the parking lot of a gas station. Two men have been subsequently arrested in the incident.

Bryan's funeral is Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Saint James Catholic Church in Savannah, Georgia.

A record-breaking crowd of 4,772 jammed Hawkins Arena and fans were encouraged to use the hashtag BearStrong to show support for the popular Bryan, who was nominated for the Allstate NABC Good Works Team for his community service efforts.

Mercer (18-6, 8-3 Southern) broke out to a 14-2 lead, were up by 13 at the break and cruised through the second half. Demetre Rivers scored 16 points with nine rebounds, while Stephon Jelks had 14 points and Phillip Leonard added 12.

Quinton Marshall paced The Citadel (10-14, 3-8) with 18 points.

In an unrelated and unspecified matter, Mercer suspended starters Jestin Lewis and Desmond Ringer from the team prior to the game.