Jan. 23, 2003

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Scott Emerson scored 20 points and Aleem Muhammad had 16 points as Mercer grabbed 15 offensive rebounds en route to a 74-68 Atlantic Sun Conference basketball victory over Samford Thursday night at Seibert Hall.

The Bears (11-4, 5-1 A-Sun) remain tied for the top spot in the A-Sun southern division. Mercer's rebounding advantage overshadowed a poor shooting night from the free throw line as the visitors went just 8-18 from the stripe, but the Bears made three of four in the final 41 seconds to keep Samford at bay.

Samford was led for the second straight game by Eddie Harper who scored 16 points and had five rebounds. Phillip Ramelli scored 10 points and grabbed seven boards. The Bulldogs were a perfect 14-14 from the free throw line but shot just 37 percent from the floor in the second half to drop to 7-10 overall and 3-3 in the Atlantic Sun.

"Rebounding is their strength," said Samford head coach Jimmy Tillette after the game. "Coach Slonaker does a great job with those guys, but the problem tonight was effort. We can not play hard three nights in a row and that is disappointing."

The Bulldogs were hoping that their second half magic during its two-game home winning streak would continue as the 'Dogs trailed 33-29 at the break. Samford went 12-33 (36 percent) from three-point range in the game. Jon Mills hit a three-pointer with 13:21 to give Samford its only lead of the second half at 47-46. Mercer quickly answered with a 6-point run to go up by five with 11:19 to play. Cornell Felton drained a three and was fouled with 5:43 left. He converted his free throw to make it a four-point play that tied the game for the sixth time at 59-59. Once again Mercer answered with a 6-point run before Brian Boerjan's three-pointer made the score 69-66 with 1:57 to play, but that would be as close as Samford would get. The Bulldogs could not stop Mercer's big men from getting good looks at shots around the basket.

Mercer shot 50 percent from the floor in the game and out-rebounded the Bulldogs 40-26. Wesley Duke had 12 rebounds for the visitors. The Bears had 34 points in the paint to just 16 for Samford.

Samford will take to the road on Sunday, Jan. 26, to Troy State in Troy, Ala. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. at Trojan Arena.