VMI basketball clinched a decisive 80-71 victory against Mercer basketball on Saturday, fueled by standout performances from Rickey Bradley Jr., TJ Johnson, and Augustinas Kiudulas. Bradley Jr. electrified the court with 22 points and 9 rebounds, while Johnson (19 points) and Kiudulas (18 points) combined for 11 rebounds to secure the Southern Conference showdown.
Mercer struggled to counter VMI’s momentum despite Tyler Johnson’s 19-point effort and Jah Nze’s 10-point contribution. The Bears’ season record now stands at 11-16 (4-10 SoCon), highlighting a challenging campaign. VMI, improving to 13-14 (7-7 SoCon), solidifies its mid-table standing ahead of Wednesday’s critical game against Wofford.
- Top Performers: Rickey Bradley Jr. (22 pts, 9 reb), TJ Johnson (19 pts), Augustinas Kiudulas (18 pts)
- Mercer Leaders: Tyler Johnson (19 pts, 2 stl), Jah Nze (10 pts)
This win underscores VMI’s growing cohesion under pressure. Analysts note their improved ball distribution and defensive resilience, key factors as they aim for a higher seed in the Southern Conference Tournament. Meanwhile, Mercer must regroup before facing Citadel—a game pivotal for salvaging postseason hopes.
Upcoming matchups: VMI hosts Wofford on Wednesday, while Mercer travels to Citadel. Both teams face intensified scrutiny as the regular season winds down.