In an Atlantic Sun clash at the Convocation Center, the Mercer Bears jumped out to a double-digit lead with 11 minutes left in the first half and coasted to a 75-56 victory on Thursday night.
The Bears hit three three-pointers in the first three minutes of the game to distance themselves from the home-standing Owls. KSU actually made just one fewer three for the game and shot a higher three-point percentage, but the early damage was done by Mercer and the Owls could not overcome it.
“They hit their threes early and that gave them their confidence,” explained a disappointed Owl coach Tony Ingle.
Once again, the Owls’ lack of depth on the interior led to them being out-rebounded. KSU also shot a lower percentage than their opponent, which has been a common symptom this season.
“We’re a young, inexperienced team that is still learning,” said Ingle. “We’ve got seven scholarship athletes and (Jay) Mitchell is limping.
Bears forward Brian Mills scored 10 points in the first seven minutes and former Wheeler standout James Florence score a game-high 20 in the Mercer victory. Five Bears scored in double digits on the night.
“Emerson, Miller, and (Florence) are good basketball players. They have a good team,” said Ingle.
KSU was led by Kurtis Woods, who finished with a career-high 24 points on 10 of 17 shooting with four threes. It was the fourth time this season that the freshman guard has led the team in scoring. Woods scored 18 of his points in the second half.
“Woods was about the only bright spot”, declared coach Ingle.
Woods was humble about his performance.
“I could’ve done better. Everybody could’ve” said the Huntsville native. “When we were down in the first half, I knew that I had to bring it (in the second).”
For the Owls, the loss marked their fifth-conference loss in a row and their 12th in past 13 games overall. KSU also lost five A-Sun games consecutively earlier in the season, which matched their longest conference skid since the 2005-06 season.
Ingle’s Owls will try to get back on the winning side of things on Saturday as they host the North Florida Ospreys, who are currently 5-17 overall and 3-9 in the Atlantic Sun.
Black can be reached at sblack@scoreatl.com.
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