Mercer Grounds Eagles, 76-54, in A-Sun Play

Final	1	2	T
Stetson (5-8 (2-1 A-Sun))	28	31	59
Mercer (10-6 (2-1 A-Sun))	36	39	75
Macon, Ga. - University Center

Stetson	Mercer
Pts: PEGG, Adam - 20	Pts: THOMAS, Bud - 16
Reb: 2 Players (#03, #41 - 5)	Reb: 2 Players (#20, #TM - 7)
Ast: THOMPSON, Amara - 3	Ast: HALL, Langston - 6

Team Statistics	Stetson	Mercer
Field Goal %	37.5% (21-56 )	47.1% (24-51 )
Rebounds	29	38
Assists	7	15
Turnovers	13	14
Pts off Turnovers	12	15
2nd Chance Pts	11	8
Pts in the Paint	28	34
Fastbreak Pts	4	4
Bench Pts	11	24

full stats

MACON, Ga. – Mercer University led wire-to-wire on its way to a 76-54 Atlantic Sun Conference win over Florida Gulf Coast University. The victory improved the Bears’ record to 10-6 overall and 2-1 in the A-Sun, while the Eagles fell to 5-8 on the year and 1-2 in league.

The 10 wins in 16 games was the quickest to a double digit victory total since the 2004-05 squad did it in 14 games. In terms of the calendar, a 10^th win on January 2 is the earliest in school history. Previously, January 12^th was the soonest date a team had booked a 10^th win (both in 1973-74 and in 1984-85).

The game was never in much doubt as MU raced ahead 8-0 on a Justin Cecil layup with 16:06 left in the first, before FGCU finally tallied it first points on the ensuing possession. A stifling Bears’ defense forced the Eagles into nine first half turnovers which – combined with seven first half blocked shots by Mercer – put the host Bears ahead by 20 points at the half, 43-23.

FGCU was able to get the MU lead under the 20 point barrier just three times the entire second half. Mercer ‘s lead ballooned to as much as 30 points when Chris Smith buried a trey, was fouled and then converted the free throw for a four-point play to make it 74-44 at the 3:19 juncture.

“I thought our defense was outstanding,” MU head coach Bob Hoffman said. “Team defense was fantastic and how they played together; how they moved together.

“We had 22 assists on 29 baskets. If you’re doing that, it’s pretty good team basketball.”

No one player was more the benefactor of those assists than Cecil. The Lakeland, Fla. native had a Mercer career best 24 points (21 in the first half alone) on a nine-for-14 shooting night from the field. Cecil also shared game high rebound honors with seven boards.

Jakob Gollon also pulled down seven rebounds, while chipping in nine points and six assists. Bud Thomas and Travis Smith tallied 13 and 11 points, respectively, to round out MU’s scoring leaders.

Point guard Langston Hall was held scoreless, but passed out a career-high nine assists  and made three of his team’s 11 steals on the night.

Sophomore center Daniel Coursey added three more blocked shots to his coffers.  The 6-11 Savannah, Ga. product now has 39 rejections in 16 games. Coursey also scored six points and grabbed five rebounds against the Eagles.

Bench scoring was even at 24 points each, but the Bears nearly doubled FGCU in points off turnovers (20-11) and held a decided advantage on points in the paint (36-22). Mercer’s 22 assists and eight blocked shots were team season-best game totals, as well.

“I love how we are executing and listening,” Hoffman added. “I thought we were ready to play tonight. We played with great energy.”