Tuesday, December 30
2:00 p.m. – Kennesaw State vs. Mercer (ESPN3)
Links: Live Stats | Video | Game Notes 
Social Media: Twitter | Facebook
 
SCOUTING MERCER                   
Mercer is off to a 9-3 start to the year and is currently ranked No. 17 in the Mid Major Poll.
 
Jestin Lewis leads the team averaging 12.1 points per game. Stephon Jelks is the other Bear that averages in double figures scoring 11.4 points per game.
 
Their biggest win to date has been against Arkansas 69-66 in overtime.
 
Mercer is led by Bob Hoffman, who is in his eighth season with the Bears.
 
THE ALL-TIME SERIES VERSUS MERCER
The Owls are 6-13 against in-state rival Mercer Bears. Mercer has won the last three in a row against KSU.
 
1,000 Points Club
Yonel Brown scored his 1,000th point in one of his favorite places to play in Assembly Hall at Indiana on December 22. Needing 15 points, he made a layup while getting fouled and then hit the free throw with 16:42 remaining in the game to reach the 1,000 points mark. He is the first Owl since Delbert Love in 2013 to reach the 1,000 point mark.
 
Sweeping Weekly Awards
Brown and Ray each won Atlantic Sun Weekly awards after the game at Indiana. Brown was named A-Sun Player of the Week after pouring in 26 and added five assists, three steals and three rebounds. Ray had 22 points against the Hoosiers and was named Newcomer of the Week.
 
It is the second time each players has won the award this season.
 
Tough Schedule Early
KSU played four teams that have been ranked at some point this season in LSU, West Virginia, Indiana and Louisville.
 
Taking Care of the Ball
Louisville is one of the best defensive teams year in and year out and the Owls did a good job of handling their pressure. Kennesaw State finished the game with 11 turnovers, which tied for the least amount of turnovers that KSU has had this season. The other game they had 11 was against Elon.
 
Going back, the Owls have had less than 15 turnovers in the past nine of 10 games and have had more assists than turnovers two games in a row.
 
Floor Leader
Yonel Brown is currently second in the A-Sun averaging 17.5 points per game after a 26 point performance against Indiana and 24 point performance against Chattanooga. He's scored 20-plus points five times and 30-plus points two times this season.
 
Brown also rarely comes off the floor for the Owls. He has played 548 minutes through 14 games averaging 39.1 per game. Brown has played all 40 minutes in five straight games and nine of the 14 games this season. He played 42 minutes in the overtime game against Elon.
 
Ray's Insurgence
Kendrick Ray keeps getting better and better as the season has gone on. He is second on the team averaging 16.0 points per game after scoring in double-figures the last eight games, while also being aggressive on the glass averaging 5.6 boards per game this season. He leads the team with three double-doubles.
 
Energy off the Bench
Aubrey Williams hasn't started a game this season, but is averaging 24.1 minutes per game and is currently fifth in the A-Sun averaging 7.0 rebounds per game. He is also fourth in the league in offensive rebounds per game averaging 2.6.
 
Williams is also the fourth leading scorer for the Owls averaging 7.7 points per game. He's scored in double figures five times this season.
 
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State men's basketball news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsMBB or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.
 
This season, fans should purchase their tickets in advance of games, as they are only $10 ahead of time and $12 at the door.
 
Season tickets are currently available for all the home court action for the Owls and can be purchased by following the link here.