DeLand, Fla. - Stetson Men's Basketball was able to overcome a double-digit deficit in the first half, and forced overtime before falling to Mercer 89-83 on Sunday afternoon. 

The Hatters found themselves in a hole for most of the first half, getting down by as many as 16. They went on an 11-0 run with just under three minutes left in the first half, to take a 38-37 lead. Blaize Sagna put the Hatters ahead after he drained a three from the corner and drew contact, and hit the free throw. Mercer scored before the end of the half and the Hatters went into the break trailing 40-38. 

Coming out of the intermission, Josh Massey tied the game up and the two teams battled back and forth. Stetson rattled off a 9-0 run capped off by a three from Jordan Wood to seize a 57-51 lead. The Bears quickly tied the game back up at 57 and the two teams were in lockstep as the half went on. Wood put the Hatters up 73-72 after going 1-2 from the free throw line with a minute left to play. With two seconds left Mercer drew a foul and hit one of their two free throws tying the game at 73 and sending it to overtime.

Tristan Gross put Stetson out front to start off the overtime period before the Bears tied the game back up. On the next possession for the Hatters, Wood drained a shot from beyond the arc to put them up three. The two teams then traded baskets with the score knotting back up at 80. Stetson went cold offensively and fell to Mercer 89-83.   

The Hatters had four players score in double figures, led by Wood, who had a career high 23 points and two blocks. Massey tacked on 22 points and eight rebounds and Ellison contributed 14 points and six assists. Canka earned his first double-double with the Hatters, tallying 12 points and a team high 10 rebounds. 

Stetson will be able to rest some of their players who logged heavy minutes as their next game isn't until Saturday, December 14. They will take on FIU at 4:00pm following Women's Basketball's game against High Point.