SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Mercer’s Stephon Jelks has been named the Southern Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for all games played Nov. 17-23. Jelks averaged 14.0 points and 13.5 rebounds per game as the Bears topped Alabama State (70-49) before falling at Davidson (77-71) last week.

The forward scored 10 points and pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds in the win over Alabama State. His 16 rebounds are the most for a player in the SoCon this season and the most for a Bear since Daniel Emerson recorded 18 against North Florida in 2010. Jelks followed that performance with 18 points and 11 rebounds on the road at Davidson.

The sophomore shot 47 percent from the field last week and was 7-of-7 from the free-throw line. He added four assists in the two games and averaged 30.0 minutes per contest.

The Bears (3-1) return to action Thursday when they take on Tulane at the Challenge in Music City in Nashville, Tenn.

Other top performers in the Southern Conference included The Citadel’s P.J. Boutte, ETSU’s Ge’Lawn Guyn, Samford’s Darius Jones-Gibson and Western Carolina’s Torrion Brummitt.