Mercer Routs Reinhardt 90-53 in Opener
Shane Cherry and Derek Goodman led Mercer to a 37-point season-opening win over Reinhardt on Monday.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Basketball
Mercer defeated Reinhardt 90-53 on Monday to open its season at 1-0. Shane Cherry scored 21 points and recorded three steals, while Derek Goodman added 18 points.
Why it matters
The lopsided opening result gives Mercer an early 1-0 start as it begins its season. Reinhardt, now facing a road game next, will look to bounce back against Jacksonville State.
Goodman shot 7 of 12 from the field and 3 of 8 from three, while K.J. LaMonte went 8 of 10 from the free-throw line on 3 of 9 shooting overall. Mercer's 90-53 win gives it a 1-0 record, though the margin's significance beyond one game is not yet established.
The players
Mercer University
Mercer is a private university in Macon, Georgia, whose basketball program competes in NCAA Division I.
Reinhardt University
Reinhardt is a private university in Waleska, Georgia, whose athletic teams compete in NCAA Division II.
The details
Mercer led from start to finish in the 90-53 win over Reinhardt on Monday. Arael Jones scored 13 points and Daniel Deng Mabior added 11 for Reinhardt, which managed only seven points from Jabari Hall in the loss.
Timeline
Monday (2026-11-02): Mercer defeats Reinhardt 90-53.
Wednesday (2026-11-04): Reinhardt visits Jacksonville State.
Thursday (2026-11-05): Mercer plays Virginia Tech on the road.
Season Trajectory
Mercer's 90-53 opening win establishes a 1-0 start within the NCAA Division I men's college basketball season, which is still too early to shape its conference or postseason picture. The result is a first marker on a schedule that next takes Mercer on the road to Virginia Tech.
Mercer's 1-0 start and a road trip to Virginia Tech on Thursday will affect how the team's early schedule is read by fans tracking the program. Fantasy and roster observers should note Goodman's and Cherry's contributions in the opener.
The takeaway
The opening result shows Mercer's depth in scoring, with three players reaching double figures. Following the Virginia Tech game will show whether that balance holds against stronger competition.
What happens next
Mercer plays Virginia Tech on the road on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the team's recent season, see Basketball coverage for Macon.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medicine Hat News.
