January 22, 2011

Mercer Clipped by North Florida, 74-64, at Home

MACON, Ga. – Mercer University's inability to stop a hot-shooting University of North Florida squad resulted in a 74-64 Atlantic Sun Conference loss at the University Center. The Bears fell to 6-14 overall and 3-6 in A-Sun play.

The Ospreys improved to 8-12 and are 5-4 in conference. UNF shot a blistering 55 percent (26-47) from the field and were nearly as effective from three-point country by hitting 47 percent (nine-of-19) in snapping Mercer's winning streak at two.

Despite UNF's shooting, Mercer trailed by a manageable four points at the half, 35-31. But a second half blitz by UNF put the host MU team in an 18-point hole by the 11:51 mark of the second period. The Ospreys opened the second stanza by making good on nine-of-11 field goal attempts to take a 59-41 lead.

"(UNF) found each other and did a good job of splitting the double teams," MU Head Coach Bob Hoffman said. "They've got really good shooters; maybe as good as anybody. They did a good job of spreading the floor and hit some shots."

Playing minus leading scorer Jeff Smith – who was lost to a knee injury in the waning seconds of Thursday's win versus Jacksonville – the Bears found some energy for a late comeback bid behind the efforts of senior Mark Hall and sophomore reserve Chris Smith.  The tandem's long –range shooting helped MU climb to within six points twice with less than 4:15 to play, but Mercer would get no closer.

Hall tallied 12 points by going four-for-four from beyond the arc. Likewise, Smith had a career-best 14 points and hit three-of-five treys, while also burying five-of-seven free throws.

Senior Brandon Moore also chipped in 14 points and hauled in five rebounds. Freshman point guard Langston Hall had just two points, but topped the Bears with six rebounds and four assists.

Senior Brian Mills paced Mercer's scoring attack with 16 points.  It was Mills' 15^th double-figure scoring game in 20 outings this season. Mills complimented his scoring with five rebounds and two assists.

It was the second time this season that Mercer had for players reach double figure scoring in the same game.

North Florida was led by Parker Smith's 17 points. Like the Bears, the Ospreys also had four double-digit scorers. Jimmy Williams and Andy Diaz each tossed in 12 points, along with 10 from Jerron Granberry, to round out the quartet.

The Bears will try to regroup on Tuesday when the team travels to Kennesaw State for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off versus the Owls, in what will be the first in a string of three-consecutive road games.