January 16, 2011

This Time it's the Bears' Turn to Get the "W" in a Tight Game, 50-47.

FT. MYERS, Fla. – Mercer University’s men’s basketball team was glad to take substance over style this time as it garnered its first road win of the year by topping Florida Gulf Coast University, 50-47, at the Alico Arena.

 

The win improved the Bears’ overall record to 5-13 and 2-5 in the Atlantic Sun Conference. The win also snapped a two-game A-Sun skid for MU.

 

The first half had nightmarish qualities for MU in virtually every possible way. Head coach Bob Hoffman’s starting five had just six points in the period and all by just two players (Brandon Moore with four and Brian Mills with two). The Bears hit just 22 percent (7-of-32) from the field and were just 1-of-9 from beyond the arc. MU also found itself out-rebounded by a 23-to-18 margin as the team found itself down by seven points, 29-22, at the intermission.

 

Mercer trailed the entire first half and the bulk of the second stanza, as well. Despite tying matters three times in the final segment, MU was not able to take a lead until there was just 1:16 left in the game when Jeff Smith converted a driving righthand layup to make it 45-44 in favor of the Bears.

 

With less than a minute left, the Eagles hit two free throws to go up by one (46-45).

 

After seeing several close games slip away of late, this time it was Mercer which hit the big shot to close out the win. The dagger came from junior transfer Justin Cecil, who canned a three-pointer from the left corner to give MU the lead it would not relinquish, 48-46.

 

FGCU’s Marlon Rivera hit one of two free throws with seven seconds remaining to cut the Bears’ lead to 48-47. However, Smith was fouled with 3.7 seconds left and canned both charity tosses for the 50-47 final score.

 

“We had a lot of guys make some plays,” said Hoffman. “More than we’ve had in a long time.

 

“It was a funny game from the get-go. I don’t know if I’ve ever had a team shoot that poorly and win a game…but I’m thankful for it!”

 

Smith’s 13 points for the day was the only double-figure scoring total. He also had three assists. And a team-high eight rebounds.

 

Cecil had eight points and Brandon Moore seven points. Moore also pulled down seven rebounds and had one blocked shot.

 

Brian Mills had six points to see his streak of double-digit scoring games snapped at 10.

 

Mercer held the Eagles to just 18 second half points, matching its best defensive effort in a half this season (MU also limited Oglethorpe to 18 in the second half of the season-opening game). It was also the first time that Mercer was able to win a day game this season.

 

After three-straight road games, the Bears return home on Thursday (Jan. 20/7 p.m.) to host Jacksonville University. All fans wearing orange will be admitted for $1 that night.