Mercer Heads to the Big Dance; #ASunMBB Champions - Mar 10, 2014
Mercer and FGCU put on a show in the 2014 Atlantic Sun Men's Basketball Championship Final as Mercer claimed the title with a 68-60 victory for its third-ever conference title. Langston Hall (6'4''-PG-91), the A-Sun Championship Most Valuable Performer, posted 15 points with seven rebounds and three assists.
The previous A-Sun Championship's came in 1981 and 1985 as Mercer's Bob Hoffman - A-Sun Coach of the Year - guided the Bears to the victory in his sixth season at the helm. The Bears became only the second team in the past 13 A-Sun Championships to claim the conference title with the A-Sun Player of the Year on their squad as Langston Hall (6'4''-PG-91) earned both postseason distinction.
Mercer's Anthony White (6'2''-G-92) Jr. and Jakob Gollon (6'6''-F-89) joined Hall on the all-tournament team as White recorded 15 points and three steals in the championship final and Gollon added 12 points and six rebounds.
Mercer hit the ground running as the Bears led by as many as 18 in the first half and went into the lockers at halftime leading 33-17. The Bears smothering defense held FGCU to 5-of-24 shooting in the opening half, while forcing seven turnovers.
Alico Arena energized the Eagles out of the break as FGCU cut the deficit to 43-42 with only 8:50 remaining on a Chase Fieler (6'8''-F-92) lay-up. Fieler's field-goal capped an 8-0 for FGCU, but would mark the closest the Eagles came to grabbing the advantage.
With the game sitting at 59-56 in favor of Mercer, the Bears produced a 5-0 run on a jumper from Hall and three free throws including two from Daniel Coursey (6'10''-F-92), who finished with 13 points and seven rebounds. The quick spurt gave Mercer a 64-56 advantage under a minute to go as the Bears held on for the win.
Fieler and Bernard Thompson (6'3''-G-93) landed on the All-Tournament team for their efforts. Fieler finished the game with 13 rebounds, nine rebounds and two blocks. He finished the tournament averaged 17.3 PPG, while his running mate Thompson 14 points in the A-Sun Final, while dishing out three assists and grabbing five rebounds.
Mercer (26-8) will find out its next opponent on Selection Sunday on March 16th on CBS at 6 pm, while FGCU (22-12) earns a trip to the NIT one season after its run to the NCAA Sweet 16.
All-Tournament MVP:
Langston Hall (6'4''-PG-91) of Mercer Player of the Year:
Langston Hall (6'4''-PG-91) of Mercer Defensive Player of the Year:
Daniel Coursey (6'10''-F-92) of Mercer Freshman of the Year:
Dallas Moore (6'1''-PG-94) of N.Florida Newcomer of the Year:
Jalen Riley (6'0''-PG-93) of E.Tenn.St. Coach of the Year:
Bob Hoffman of Mercer
Hoffman
