February 9, 2011

Mercer Hopes to Keep Momentum Going Versus Stetson

 

MACON, Ga. – Mercer University's men's basketball team will be looking for a second-consecutive victory – and the chance to reach the .500 level in Atlantic Sun Conference games – when it plays host to Stetson University on Thursday (Feb. 10) evening. Tip-off at the University Center is slated for 7:30 p.m.

The game will also be a "Dollar Night" for all fans. Anyone wearing Orange will receive a general admission seat for $1.00 (and the one price will get fans admission to the women's game, as well, which plays Kennesaw State that night at 5 p.m.).

MU is coming off of an inspirational victory last Saturday afternoon versus Campbell University. The Bears (9-15, 6-7 A-Sun) scored a resounding 63-45 win, despite facing some incredible odds. The game against the Camels was Mercer's first since losing third-leading scorer and top rebounder Brandon Moore to a knee injury on January 31 at East Tennessee. It was also the squad's fourth game minus leading scorer and assist man Jeff Smith, also lost to a knee injury 10 days before Moore went down.

Both Moore and Smith underwent surgery this past week.

With the sidelining of Moore and Smith, the Bears remaining senior tandem of Brian Mills and Mark Hall are the core floor leaders for the Bears. Mills has been the model of consistency this season with 19 double-digit scoring games and an average of 14.7 points per game, as well as 5.7 rebounds per game. Mills has six games this season with 20 or more points, including 20 in the win over Campbell (where went 10-for-12 from the free throw line).

Mark Hall has raised his average to 6.3 points per game and is second on the team with 34 three-point baskets made.

Mark Hall's total treys is second only to freshman teammate Langston Hall (no relation), who has canned 44 buckets from long range. Langston Hall has also assumed the team lead in assists at 3.17 helps per game.

Freshman Bud Thomas had a big game versus Campbell as MU looks to younger players to pick up the void of 26.6 p.p.g. and 9.5 r.p.g. left by the injuries to Smith and Moore. Thomas registered his first collegiate double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds versus CU.

Mercer is currently fifth in the latest A-Sun standings.

SCOUTING STETSON:

The Hatters (7-18, 5-9 A-Sun) are battling for their lives for a spot in the A-Sun championship tournament, currently tied for seventh place in what will be an eight-team field.  Stetson is coming off of a huge win, 55-54, at East Tennessee (the A-Sun's second place team) last Sunday.

In the win over the Buccaneers, Stetson had a trio of players in double figures, led by 15 points from Corey Walden. Walden also pulled down a game-leading nine rebounds. Joel Naburgs and Ridge Graham contributed 13 and 10 points, respectively, off the Hatters' bench.

That win over ETSU also snapped a seven-game skid by the SU which included, among other things, a triple-overtime home setback to Florida Gulf Coast. Prior to its win over ETSU, the last Stetson win came at the expense of Mercer back on January 14 in DeLand, Fla.

On the year, Graham leads Stetson in scoring at 12.9 p.p.g., as well as in rebounds at 6.1 boards per contest. Walden is close behind at 11.5 p.p.g.

Five other Hatters average 6.3 points per game or better for a balanced SU attack.

GAME NOTES:

*In the last meeting between these teams in DeLand, Fla. (Jan. 14), Mercer's lone lead in the game was on the first basket. From then on the Hatters took control and led at halftime, 39-29, on their way to the 79-70 victory. In the game, it was a combination of the old and the new putting on a display for MU as senior Jeff Smith scored 21 points and freshman Langston Hall added 20.

*Versus Campbell last Saturday, MU head coach Bob Hoffman employed his trio of freshman "bigs" – Monty Brown (6-11, 250), Daniel Coursey (6-10, 220) and Paul Larsen (6-6, 220) – to fill Moore's shoes. While Larsen was the only member of the group able to register any points (5) or rebounds (4), the rotation of fresh big men created some problems for the Camels.

*Senior Brian Mills needs just 46 more points to become the 35^th member of Mercer's "1,000 Point Club".

*Stetson leads the overall series versus the Bears by a 69-49 margin.