MACON, GA – Senior EJ Kusnyer tied a University Center record with eight three-pointers on his way to a game high 26 points as Mercer broke a four-game losing streak with an 87-62 victory over the Piedmont Lions, Thursday night.
Mercer improves to 4-5 overall while Piedmont fell to 3-3.
The Pittsburgh, Penn. native scored nine of Mercer’s first 18 points and finished the opening half with five from beyond the arc. That sparked a 16-0 run by the Bears over a six-minute span to increase their lead to 34-14.
Mercer held the Lions to eight-of-25 shooting in the first half, and that, according to Mercer head coach Bob Hoffman, was the key to his team’s success.
“We played great defense in the first half,” he said. “We were talking to each other and had a lot of activity on that end of the court. I was disappointed in the second half, though. Piedmont came out with renewed energy and we didn’t respond well.”
The Lions used a 14-2 run of their own to cut the second half lead to 14 points, but that’s as close as they would get.
Junior Brian Mills also a career night scoring 12 points and grabbing 11 rebounds for the first double-double of his career.
“Brian has made huge strides,” Hoffman said. “He has worked hard in the weight room and has gotten a lot stronger. He hasn’t had as many fumbles this year and is finishing.”
Kusnyer set career highs in points scored, three-pointers made and his 80 percent shooting from long range (eight-of-10) was a new University Center record.
“He works so hard,” Hoffman said. “I’m happy for him. Nobody works harder than EJ. It’s a blessing to see someone get rewarded for all the hard work they put in.”
Other Bears in double figures included James Florence (14), and Daniel Emerson (14).
Mercer doesn’t play again until Monday, Dec. 21 when they travel to Nashville, Tenn. to face the Vanderbilt Commodores. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST.
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