Mercer University
Georgia
Men's Basketball Falls in Three Overtime Battle at Georgia
12/27/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
ATHENS, Ga. – Mercer men's basketball newcomers Jordan Strawberry, Jestin Lewis and Stephon Jelks combined for 46 points while leading an emotional comeback from 12 points down on Saturday evening at Georgia. Despite Strawberry's buzzer-beating, game-tying 3-pointer at the end of regulation, the Bears were ultimately defeated in triple overtime, 86-77.
Mercer's third overtime game of the year dropped the squad to 6-7 on the season, while Georgia jumped to 7-3 overall.
"Our game plan was good," Hoffman said. "In the first half, we didn't do as well as we should, but in the second half, we paid more attention to detail and seized some opportunities. Mercer fans came from everywhere and wanted my guys to experience this win, and we did everything we could."
Strawberry paced Mercer with 21 points and six assists, including 14 after the first period of play. Jestin Lewis poured in a career-high 16 points, all after halftime, on 5-of-7 shooting from downtown, while Darious Moten joined them in double-figures with 11 points and a game-high three blocked shots.
After trailing by as many as 12 in the second half, Mercer found itself with possession, trailing 51-48 with 49 seconds to play. Strawberry launched a shot that missed its target, but Moten tracked down the offensive rebound, resetting the shot clock and allowing head coach Bob Hoffman to call timeout.
After failing to get an open look, junior Ike Nwamu was forced to let a contested three fly with eight seconds left, and Strawberry grabbed the ball after it clanged off the iron. Strawberry was boxed into the corner by two defenders, where he elevated and drilled a game-tying triple to extend the contest.
Lewis, who hit two crucial three's as part of Mercer's late rally, picked up right where he left off in the in overtime. Lewis hit three go-ahead treys in the first two overtimes, but each time Georgia had a response.
In the closing seconds of the second overtime, Mercer led 72-70 when a scramble for a loose rebound was won by Jelks. Jelks was hounded by Bulldog players, and was whistled for a foul while clearing space.
The controversial call gave Georgia possession, and Kenny Gaines hit a layup with four seconds left to force the third overtime.
On the first possession of the period, Gaines came up big for Georgia again with an old-fashioned 3-point play. The momentum-changing score sparked a 12-1 Georgia run that put the hosts ahead for good.
Jelks finished with nine points, two rebounds and an assist as part of Mercer's season-high 48 bench points. Strawberry, Lewis and Jelks all had season-high scoring totals, while senior T.J. Hallice tied a career-high with 10 rebounds.
Hallice added seven points, two blocks, and assist and a steal while Nwamu was credited with eight points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Hoffman's bid at a 10th high-major win during his Mercer tenure fell just short. Hallice, Nwamu and Strawberry each played over 40 minutes while starters Moten and Phillip Leonard fouled out.
After a late first half run put the Bulldogs ahead nine at intermission, the hosts pushed their advantage to 12 on the first possession of the second period. The margin would remain at 12 until Jelks was fouled after grabbing an offensive rebound at the 15:58 juncture. His ensuing free throws marked the start of an 8-0 Mercer charge, bringing the Bears within four for the first time in over 18 minutes of play.
During the stretch, Mercer forced four-straight stops on the defensive end, the first of which was keyed by Lewis' aggressive backcourt defending and resulted in a fast-break layup. Lewis provided big shots as the Bears continued to battle from behind, nailing two 3-pointers to keep Mercer within striking distance.
Lewis and the Bears cut the deficit to four multiple times throughout the second half, and finally got within one as Lewis forced a turnover and found Hallice on the break for a dunk with 1:17 on the clock. A layup by Georgia's Charles Mann pushed the buffer back to three, setting the stage for Strawberry's buzzer beater.
The contest was the second in Mercer's season-high six-game road swing. The Bears continue the stretch at Texas A&M on Tuesday night.
