March 1, 2011

Mills, Hall Honored With A-Sun Post-Season Awards

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MACON, Ga. – Mercer University's men's basketball team – which all season long has relied heavily on both its veterans and newcomers – fittingly had one of each rewarded when the 2010-11 Atlantic Sun Conference men's basketball post-season awards were announced on Tuesday. Honored for the Bears was senior Brian Mills as a first team All-Conference selection and newcomer Langston Hall on the All-Freshman Team.

Mills, who for three seasons had labored in a support role behind upper classmen before having a break-out senior year himself in 2010-11, earned his first All-A-Sun post-season award. Mills' banner campaign was punctuated by averages of 15.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, along with 25 double-figure scoring games (out of 31 contests) and 10 games with 20-plus points. Mills had a career-high 34 points versus North Florida on Feb. 18.

Mills led the Bears in scoring in 13 games and was the team's top rebounder 12 times. He earned the final A-Sun "Player of the Week" award for the season last week, as well (the first time he had garnered the award during his MU career).

In the A-Sun final regular season statistics, Mills ranked among the leaders in several categories.  He was fifth in scoring (15.7 p.p.g.), 13^th in rebounds (5.9 r.p.g.), 14^th in field goal percentage (45.5%) and 13^th in free throw percentage (71.2%).  The Douglasville, Ga. native was also 17^th in minutes played, averaging 30.45 minutes per appearance.

Mills has also twice been recognized on the A-Sun's All-Academic Team prior to this season.

"I could not be happier than I am for Brian," MU head coach Bob Hoffman said. "Anyone who has followed our program knows how far he has come to reach the high level of play he achieved this season. Brian is an ideal player to coach; his desire to succeed makes him want to do whatever is needed to get better and make the team better, as well.

"Brian stood toe-to-toe with some outstanding players – both in and out of conference – this season and had a consistent level of success against all comers. To me as a coach, that tells me a player is giving me all he has every game…which is what Brian does."

Hall, from Atlanta's Chamblee High School, had the unenviable task of replacing Mercer's all-time leading scorer (James Florence) at point guard during his first season at the collegiate level.

But Hall responded like a "veteran," starting all 31 games and assuming the mantle of leadership for the team's offense. Hall averaged 8.2 points per game and 3.0 rebounds per game, as well. His 3.45 assists per game ranked seventh in the A-Sun and he was second in the league with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.73.

Hall was also one of the A-Sun's top three-point threats. He was sixth in three-point field goal percentage (40.8%) and 13^th in treys made per game (1.71).  He also proved to be one of the most larcenous of A-Sun players at 1.32 steals per game (tied for 12^th).

On the year, Hall had eight double figure scoring games, including a career-best 22 point effort at Jacksonville (Feb. 20).  He booked seven assists in a game on three separate occasions.

"Langston's in no way looked like a typical freshman," Hoffman said. "He showed the maturity and leadership you need to run the point. He wasn't intimidated by anyone. He is so fun to watch on the court and is just going to get better and better as he gets older."

Mercer will make its unprecedented 27^th-consecuitve appearance in the A-Sun championship tournament beginning this Thursday (March 3) at 9 p.m., when the Bears take on Lipscomb University.

Mercer is the host site for both the A-Sun men's and women's basketball championships this week, March 2-5, at the University Center. For ticket information, follow the link on the Bears' web site at: www.mercerbears.com.