January 20, 2011

Bears Go Overtime for Second-Consecutive Win, 70-68

 

MACON, Ga. – Mercer University had to work overtime, but in the end came out on top over Atlantic Sun Conference third place team Jacksonville University, 70-68, at the University Center. The OT victory improved the Bears to 6-13 overall and 3-5 in the A-Sun, while the Dolphins slipped to 11-6 on the year and 5-3 in conference.

The win was the second in a row for the MU team, the first time this season that the Bears have had back-to-back wins. 

“We had some guys give great efforts tonight,” said Mercer head coach Bob Hoffman. “some of the guys played almost the whole overtime and were giving it all they had. It was a great team win and we had lots of guys contribute.

“Not always offensively either. We had a lot of defensive possessions where we were able to sub and get people in. It made a huge difference and helped us to get the victory.”

Jacksonville led the entire first half, but the guests were eventually overtaken by the Bears at the 15:44 mark of the second period thanks to a Brian Mills jumper that made it 46-45. The Dolphins retook the lead eight minutes later and, with 6:17 left in regulation, went up by four points on an Ayron Hardy (14 points) three-ball.

Both teams missed opportunities to win the game in regulation thanks to missed free throws. MU’s Mark Hall converted one-of-two charity tosses with 1:03 remaining. Then JU’s Travis Cohn (10 points) also missed one of two free throws with 16 seconds left, to make it 62-62.  When Hall’s three-point attempt fell well short, the Bears went into their second overtime game of the year.

A dunk by the Dolphins’ Glenn Powell (16 points) opened the OT scoring, but Hall answered with a trey to put Mercer up, 65-64, with 4:16 left.

Back-to-back baskets by Smith and Mills extended MU’s lead to 69-64 at the 2:02 mark of overtime. But Jacksonville countered with a pair of layups to make it a one-point game (69-68) with 1:09 left in the extra stanza.

Mercer missed on its next possession and the Dolphins had the ball with 34 seconds left. JU worked the ball around the perimeter and then, with two seconds left, Keith McDougald looked to have a bunny lay-up underneath. However, Brandon Moore got a hand on the ball for the block and Mills grabbed the loose ball and was fouled.

Mills converted one-of-two free throws with 1.2 seconds left and JU was unable to get off another shot, for the 70-68 final score.

Mills’ had 24 points to lead all scorers, hitting nine-of-24 from the field to go along with four rebounds, two steals and two assists. It was his 14 double-figure scoring game in 19 games this season.

Fellow senior Jeff Smith added 19 points by making good on eight-of-13 shots from the floor. Smith also led the Bears’ team with four assists and four steals.

Mercer will next be in action at home on Saturday (Jan. 22) versus North Florida. Tip-off is slated for 4:30 p.m. as the second half of a women’s-men’s doubleheader that day.