February 10, 2011

Bears Tip the Hatters, 72-62, in Overtime

 

MACON, Ga. – For the third time this season, Mercer’s men’s basketball team had to play an overtime game and, for the second-consecutive time in an extra-segment game, it came away with a win on its home floor by defeating Stetson University, 72-62, at the University Center. The victory upped the Bears' record to 10-15 overall and, more importantly, evened their Atlantic Sun Conference ledger at 7-7.

The Hatters came out strong and were brimming with confidence after taking a 21-10 lead at the 11:35 mark of the first half. But the resilient MU squad fought back behind 15 first-half points from senior forward Brian Mills, eventually tying matters at 25-25 at the intermission.

Also credit a smothering MU defense that allowed Stetson just four points the rest of the first half after getting down by 11. It was the third time this season that the Bears had been deadlocked at the half.

Mills would finish the night with 21 points and a game-high eight rebounds. For the Douglasville, Ga., native, it was his 20^th double-figure scoring game of the season and sixth with 20-plus points.

In the second half, each team enjoyed moderate cushions – SU led by five and Mercer held a six point advantage at one point – before regulation ended in a knot. After the Hatters took a one-point, 53-52, lead with just 28 tics left on the clock, the Bears needed some late magic to force the OT and had a couple chances to go home a bit earlier.

MU freshman Bud Thomas was fouled with eight seconds remaining and made one of two free throws to tie the game, 53-53. On the missed second shot, Thomas got his own rebound and was fouled with a little over six seconds to play, but missed both charity tosses.

SU’s Joel Narburgs got the defensive rebound but traveled to give Mercer yet another opportunity with four seconds remaining.  The Bears couldn’t get the ball inside and Hall launched a desperation three that missed as the teams went to overtime.

Mark Hall scored 16 of his game-leading and season-high 23 points in the second stanza alone, as well as four points in the OT. Hall hit nine-of-10 free throw attempts on the night.

As a team, Mercer was 17-for-27 from the line, all coming in the second half and in overtime after not getting any opportunities the first half.

In the overtime, the Bears shredded the Hatters’ hopes by outscoring the visitors, 19-9. Redshirt sophomore Jake Gollon tallied seven of his career-high 14 points in the final five minute set to push Mercer to the 72-62 win. Gollon also pulled in six rebounds.

“Mark Hall was awesome tonight,” MU head coach Bob Hoffman said. “He got every loose ball…and the ones he didn’t get, Jake Gollon got.

“It was a huge win. Every one of them is going to be this way. It was a great team win and our guys stayed focused and found a way to get it done.”

Overall, Mercer’s defense forced 21 Stetson turnovers, which the Bears converted into 23 points.

Corey Walden had 21 points to pace Stetson.

The Bears will next host Florida Gulf Coast University on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is slated for 4:30 p.m.