Mercer University
Kennesaw State
Men's Basketball Routs Kennesaw State, 81-51
1/13/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer men's basketball team placed four players in doubles figures en route to an 81-51 win over Kennesaw State at the University Center on Friday evening. The Bears took their fifth win in their last six games, moving to 13-7 (5-2 A-Sun) while the Owls slipped to 3-15 (0-7 A-Sun).
"I'm just so happy for our guys," Mercer head coach Bob Hoffman said. "We shot the ball well tonight and the crowd and energy in the building was great."
Sophomore Langston Hall led all scorers with 17 points while his classmate Daniel Coursey chipped in 14 points. Hall booked 11 of his in the first half while all 14 of Coursey's came in the second frame.
Senior Justin Cecil tallied 13 points in the win while sophomore Jakob Gollon was four-of-four from the field and finished with 11 points.
Mercer set or tied season-bests in field goals made (31), three-point field goals made (13), three-point field goal percentage (65%) and free-throw percentage (100%) en route to 81 points. The Bears' 81 point output was two off the season-high of 83, set at Samford on December 7, 2011.
The Bears also outscored its opponent in the second half for the eighth-straight game, this time besting the Owls 49-30 in the final 20 minutes.
At the start of the game, Gollon drilled two treys in the opening 2:02 to give the Bears an early 6-0 advantage. Mercer would never relinquish that lead, marking the second time this year the Bears have notched a wire-to-wire victory.
Mercer pushed its lead to as many as 13 in the first half as Gollon and Hall combined to shoot a perfect 100% (5-of-5) from three-point range in the opening period. When the teams went to the locker room, Mercer held a comfortable 32-21 lead.
Kennesaw State opened the second half on a 9-2 run, cutting their deficit to four before Mercer responded with 10-straight points to go back in front by 16 (46-30). Mercer's lead swelled to as many as 32 before the final buzzer sounded.
Mercer's victory marked the 10th time this season the Bears have held an opponent to less than 60 points. The Bears perimeter defense was particularly effective on Friday, holding the visitors to just three-of-18 shooting from three-point range.
Mercer returns to action on Saturday, January 21 hosting North Florida at the University Center. Game time is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
%20(1).png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)
