Queens Holds Off Mercer, 73-66

Wednesday, December 18

Charlotte, N.C.

7 p.m.

Mercer University

6-5,0-0SoCon

Queens (N.C.)

7-5,0-0ASUN

Mercer

Queens (NC)

12/18/2024 10:14:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Alex Holt led all scorers with 19 points

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Alex Holt tallied 19 points to lead all scorers, but Mercer dropped a 73-66 contest on the road to Queens Wednesday night from Curry Arena in Charlotte, N.C.

The Bears trailed by one at halftime, but Queens opened up a 21-point lead midway through the second half. The Bears worked their wary back into the game over the final 10 minutes, getting within seven points with more than two minutes to play before Queens held on for the win.

Holt scored 19 points on 7-for-12 (58.3%) shooting with eight rebounds and three steals. Angel Montas Jr. also added 14 points, six rebounds and four assists off the bench. Freshman Brady Shoulders had his third consecutive game with 10 or more rebounds as he pulled down 11 on the night.

Neither team shot the ball very efficiently on the night as Mercer was 38 percent from the field and Queens shot 40 percent from the field. It was a particulary tough night for the Bears from behind the arc, going 4-for-25 from deep.

THE BASICS
SCORE: Queens 73, Mercer 66
RECORDS: Mercer 6-5 (0-0 SoCon); Queens, 7-5 (ASUN)
LOCATION: Charlotte, NC (Curry Arena)

HOW IT HAPPENED
1ST HALF
A fastbreak layup from Laurynas Vaistaras made it a 9-7 lead for Queens about seven minutes into the game as each side tried to get things going offensively in the opening minutes. A three-pointer from Shoulders made it a 14-13 lead for the Royals just under 10 minutes to go in the first half.

An and-one from Holt gave Mercer its largest lead of the first half at 21-16 with a little more than five minutes to play in the first half. A jumper from Tyler Johnson put Mercer ahead 27-25 with two minutes to play in the first half. Queens would go on to take a 30-29 lead into the break.

2ND HALF
A layup from Montas tied the game at 35 less than three minutes into the second half. Then, Queens went on a 14-2 run to suddenly jump out to a 49-37 lead with 13 minutes to go. The Royals kept the momentum going and extended their lead to a game-high 21 points at 61-40 with less than 10 minutes to play.

Back-to-back jump shots from Montas got the Bears within 11 at 65-54 with just under five minutes to play. Free throws from Johnson made it a two-possession game at 70-64 with a little over a minute to go, but the Bears couldn't complete the comeback and dropped a 73-66 decision.

NOTABLES
+ The loss is Mercer's first of the season to an ASUN team. The Bears were previously 3-0 against ASUN teams.
+ Ahmad Robinson suffered a leg injury four minutes into the game and did not return.
+ Mercer had a season high five blocks. Jah Nze led the Bears with two blocks.
+ Alex Holt's 19 points were his second most in a game this season. His eight rebounds marked his sixth consecutive game with at least seven rebounds.
+ Angel Montas Jr.'s six made field goals were the most he's made in a game since the season opener against Virginia-Lynchburg.
+ Brady Shoulders had 11 rebounds. It's his third straight game with 10 or more rebounds.

UP NEXT
Mercer will make the short drive down to Rock Hill, South Carolina to play at Winthrop on Saturday, Dec. 21. Tip-off is at 2 p.m. from Winthrop Coliseum.

STAY CONNECTED
Follow Mercer Men's Basketball on Twitter and Instagram and on Facebook.