Macon, Ga. - The Stetson men's basketball team dropped to 5-9 overall and 2-2 in Atlantic Sun Conference action with a 75-59 loss at host Mercer (11-6, 3-1 A-Sun) Wednesday evening at the University Center. Junior center Adam Pegg (Clearwater, Fla.) led three Hatters in double figures with 20 points.
Stetson kept it close with the Bears, winners of three straight and four of their last five, early on, even seizing a 23-21 lead on a three-pointer from sophomore guard Chris Perez (Santiago, D.R.) with 5:47 to go before halftime. However, Mercer closed the first half and started the second period on a 17-6 run that took a one-point Hatter deficit and made it a double-digit margin for the duration of the game. The Bears easily held the Hatters at arm's length the rest of the way home for the 16-point margin of victory.
Pegg did solid work inside for Stetson, knocking down eight of 12 field goal attempts and all four of his free throw attempts to finish with 20 points and five rebounds. Junior guard Joel Naburgs (Victoria, Australia) scored 12 points and Perez added 11 for the Hatters. Sophomore forward Willie Green (Orlando, Fla.) tied Pegg for the team rebounding lead with five.
Bud Thomas paced Mercer to the win with 16 points and six rebounds. Monty Brown (13), Justin Cecil (12) and Jakob Gollon (11 points, seven rebounds) joined him in double figures. Langston Hall dished out six assists for the Bears as well.
The Hatters return home to host Jacksonville at 3:15 pm Saturday at the Edmunds Center. That contest, as well as the preceding women's game, will be nationally broadcast online at ESPN3.com. That webcast is free for all fans with a valid internet service provider; it will also be simulcast through Hatter Vision. Live Stats also available at GoHatters.com.
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