Dec. 2, 2006
Box Score
MACON, Ga. - Kennesaw State could not hold a late second half lead as Mercer forced overtime and controlled the extra period as the Bears downed the Owls, 84-77, Saturday night at the University Center.
After rallying from a six-point deficit at halftime, KSU (2-6, 0-2 A-Sun) led by six at 60-54 with 7:15 remaining before Mercer (2-4, 1-1) put together a 6-0 run over the next two minutes to tie the game.
The two teams traded baskets before Mercer took a three point lead on the strength of two Ross Alacqua free throws. However, Ronell Wooten came to the rescue as he hit a fade-away three to tie the game at 68-68 with :24 left. Mercer's Calvin Henry had a chance at the buzzer but his shot missed to the left as the two teams headed into the extra period.
The Owls demise in overtime was their poor shooting as they only made 1-of-8 shots in the extra five minutes of play. Conversely, the Bears were hot from the floor in overtime, making 4-of-5 shots to clinch the seven-point victory.
KSU once again struggled shooting the ball as the team only shot 38.4 percent (28-of-73) for the game, while Mercer's shooting was more respectable at 49.2 percent (31-of-63). The Bears also held the advantage on the boards, out-rebounding the Owls 48-38.
Andre Morgan led the Owls with 22 points. The Buford, Georgia native finished the game shooting 6-of-14 from the field including 4-of-8 from behind the three-point arc. Wooten scored 18 points, all three-pointers, while Shuan Stegall recorded his fifth double-double of the year with 15 points and 15 rebounds.
James Florence paced the Bears and all scorers with 23 points on 10-of-17 shooting. Brendan Walker added 21 for Mercer, while Henry and Brian Pfohl had 11 and 10 respectively.
KSU will now have a 15-day lay-off before traveling to Manhattan, Kansas to take on the Kansas State Wildcats on December 17 at 2:00 p.m. in the first of four games in the 2006 Las Vegas Classic.
