MACON, Ga. – On Saturday, the Mercer men's basketball team aims for its first three-game winning streak of the season, welcoming Florida Gulf Coast to the University Center for a 4:30 p.m. tip.

The Bears are riding the momentum of a two-game winning streak after topping Stetson in dramatic fashion on Thursday night.  Mercer needed overtime, but found a way to book a 72-62 win over the Hatters at the University Center.

Against Stetson, Mercer benefitted from a standout performance from senior Mark Hall.   Hall tallied 23 points on 5-of-10 shooting to lead all scorers.  Hall's classmate, Brian Mills, added 21 points of his own to help the Bears pull even at 7-7 in league play.

Sophomore Jake Gollon had a career-high 14 points off the Bears' bench versus Stetson.

In order to breach the .500 mark in conference play for the first time this season, Mercer will have to complete the season sweep of FGCU.

SCOUTING FGCU

The Eagles return two starters from last year's team that finished 8-12 (5-15 A-Sun).  Currently, FGCU is 6-17 (3-11 A-Sun) after dropping a 69-68 decision at Kennesaw State Thursday night.

Redshirt sophomore Anthony Banks leads the team offensively, averaging 14.8 points per game.  Bank's scoring average ranks the Lantana, Fla. native sixth among A-Sun players.

Saturday's game marks the second go-around between the teams this season.  On January 16, Mercer claimed a thrilling 50-47 win in Fort Myers, Fla.  In that game, senior Jeff Smith was the only Mercer player to reach double figure scoring (13 pts.).

GAME NOTES

When Mercer scored 50 points and beat FGCU (50-47) on Jan. 16, 2011 in Ft. Myers, it was the Bears' lowest point total that resulted in a victory since Feb. 18, 1963 when the team beat Erskine College, 45-44.

Senior Mark Hall's 23 points in the OT win over Stetson (2/10) was a season-best for the Los Angeles, Calif., native.