Mercer University
14-6, 4-3SoCon
Western Carolina
8-12, 3-4SoCon
Catamounts Outlast Mercer in Heartbreaking 2OT Defeat
1/24/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
CULLOWHEE, N.C. – For the third straight game the Bears needed extra time to determine a winner. Unfortunately for Mercer, Western Carolina did just enough to come away with an 86-80 win in double overtime.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Western Carolina looked to have the game in hand, leading 62-52 with 1:37 left in regulation. The Bears then went on a scoring rampage, pouring in 14 points in the final minute and a half to remarkably send the game into overtime at 66-66. Senior guard Jestin Lewis scored nine of the last 14 for Mercer, including a four-point play with 35 seconds left to tie the game.
In the first overtime session Mercer grabbed a four-point lead with just under three minutes to play but Western Carolina fought back and tied the game at 73-73 to force the second overtime. The Bears never led in the last five minutes and WCU escaped with the victory.
The Bears methodically built an eight-point advantage in the first frame, taking a 32-24 lead into the halftime break. Western Carolina's Elijah Pughsley hit three shots from beyond the arc in the opening minutes to put the hosts on top 9-4. The Bears battled back and took the lead with 12:11 left on the clock, as freshman Ethan Stair hit a trey to put the Orange and Black on top 16-13. Mercer did not relinquish the lead the rest of the half.
Mercer extended its lead to 11 points at 44-33 with just under 15 minutes to play. Western Carolina then found their shooting stroke from distance, knocking down five straight thee-pointers to take a 50-48 lead midway through the second stanza.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Senior guard Jestin Lewis was nothing short of phenomenal on Sunday, finishing the game with 27 points, just one shy of his career high. Lewis saved his best play for late, pouring in 22 points after halftime, including nine points in a 32 second stretch in the game's final minute to send it into overtime. The Richmond, Va., native also totaled six rebounds, a team-high three steals and two assists.
MERCER STAT OF THE NIGHT
The Bears matched their season high in rebounds with 54 and outrebounded the Catamounts by 13 boards. 11 different Mercer players hauled in at least one rebound, with sophomore forward Stephon Jelks leading the way with 12.
NOTABLES
- The Bears are now 4-6 against the Catamounts in the all-time series.
- The Orange and Black went to overtime for the third time this season and second time in as many games. Mercer is now 2-2 in overtime games this year.
- Sunday marks Mercer's first multiple overtime game of the season.
- The Orange and Black outrebounded WCU 54-41, marking the 16th time the Bears have recorded more boards than the opposition.
- The Mercer bench finished with 28 points and have now scored 20+ points 13 times this season.
- The Orange and Black dominated down low, outscoring the Catamounts 34-22 in the paint.
- Lewis' 27-point effort marks his third game of 20+ points.
- Jelks recorded his SoCon best eighth double-double of the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
- Jelks has grabbed 10+ boards in nine games this season.
- With 13 points, Jordan Strawberry has reached double digits in scoring five times this season.
RECORD UPDATE
Mercer drops to 14-6 on the season and is now 4-3 in SoCon play, while Western Carolina moves to 8-12 on the year and 3-4 in conference action.
UP NEXT
Mercer returns to Macon for a pair of Southern Conference games in Hawkins Arena next week. The Bears host VMI on Thursday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. and then welcomes UNC Greensboro to town on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 4:30 p.m.
STAY SOCIAL
For all the latest information and up-to-the-minute updates on Mercer men's basketball, please follow the team on Twitter at @MercerMBB.
