PROVIDENCE, RI -- Mercer senior James Florence poured in 33 points and junior Jeff Smith hit a pair of huge three-pointers in the final two minutes to give the Bears an 89-80 season opening victory over the Bucknell Bison at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, Friday night.
With the game tied 71-71 at the 4:17 mark, Mercer (1-0) outscored Bucknell 18-9. After junior Brandon Moore gave the Bears a 73-71 lead, senior E.J. Kunsyer stole the ball and found Smith who popped the three with 2:32 left. Bucknell pulled to within three on a Stephen Tyree layup, but Smith gave the Bears a six point advantage on his second trey in less than a minute.
Bucknell (0-1) pulled to with 81-77 on a Bryan Cohen three-pointer with 58.3 remaining. From there, the Bears secured the victory by hitting six of eight free throws in the final 38 seconds.
Mercer had its hands full holding off the hot shooting Bison who nailed 11 of 18 shots from beyond the three-point arc. The Bears were exactly the opposite from down-town going 3-13 in the opening half but warmed up considerably in the second half, going 5 for 9.
“We have a good nucleus and the pieces fit together,” said Mercer University head coach Bob Hoffman, “but we have to guard better on the defensive end.”
Joining Florence and Smith in double figure scoring was Emerson (13) and junior Brian Mills (11). Emerson also pulled down 13 rebounds for his 16th career double-double and his 18th career game with 10 or more rebounds. Florence’s 33 marked the 80th time he hit double figures as a Bear and his 45th game with 20 or more points.
“Anytime these guys are scoring, it makes me look good,” Hoffman said. “Danny is a double-double waiting to happen. He could have had 20 and 10 easy tonight.”
The first half contained numerous streaks by both teams. After Brian Mills tied the game at 4-4, Bucknell’s Joe Willman hit two consecutive shots to give the Bison a four point advantage, their largest of the opening half.
Later, Mercer tied the game at 16-16 on a Florence bucket. The Bears proceeded to go on a 7-2 run for a 23-18 lead highlighted by Florence’s first three-pointer of the season and another layup. He accounted for 13 of Mercer’s first 23 points.
Florence was sizzling in the opening 20 minutes. The Marietta, Ga. native was 6-11 from the floor for 16 points. Emerson dominated the boards with eight rebounds.
The Bison pulled to within one at 26-25, but three consecutive Mercer scores, including Ridas Pulkauninkas’ first Division-I three-pointer and an Emerson break-away dunk gave the Bears their largest first half lead at 34-27. Bucknell outscored Mercer 6-1 over the last three minutes to cut the margin to 35-33 at halftime.
Mercer will play its second game of the World Vision Invitational against the Bryant Bulldogs tomorrow at 4 p.m.
Box Score
* All Mercer basketball games this season can be heard on Fox Sports 1670, and The New Peach 96.5/102.5.