Bears Topped by Gardner-Webb, 78-65, at Legends Classic

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – Mercer University’s men’s basketball team finished its run in the three-games-in-three-days Legends Classic with a 78-65 loss to Gardner-Webb University at the Kaplan Arena on the campus of the College of William and Mary. The loss dropped the Bears to 2-5 overall, while the Runnin’ Bulldogs improved to 4-3 on the season.

GWS-U’s Jon Moore was a one-man wrecking crew the first half as his team opened up a 38-32 lead. Moore had 20 first half points as Mercer found itself trailing at the intermission for the sixth time in seven games this season.

Jon Moore would finish the game with a career-high 32 points. He was the only G-WU player in double figures.

Mercer battled gamely in the second half to regain the upper hand, after leading by as many as seven points in the first half of play. A three pointer by freshman point guard Langston Hall drew the Bears to within a single point at 38-37 with 18:08 left.

But the G-WU withstood the charge and built a double digit lead midway through the period. The Runnin’ Bulldogs led by as much as 17 in handing Mercer its second loss in a row.

Langston Hall led the Bears with 15 points, thanks to five three-point baskets. Brandon Moore had 13 points and a game-leading eight rebounds.

Jeff Smith added 10 points as the only other Bear in double figures.  Smith also had five assists.

“We didn’t rebound and we got killed by undersized guys,” said MU head coach Bob Hoffman. “They just out-hustled us and played with more emotional fire. And when that happens it’s a coaching error. It’s our job to get them ready.”