Mercer's second half run downs UNF

Monday, February 9

Macon, Ga.

7 p.m.

University of North Florida

-519, 311 ASun

Mercer

-1411, 86 ASun

North Florida

Mercer

Eni Cuka has averaged more than 20 points his last three games.

2/9/2009 9:41:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Cuka scores 23 to lead Ospreys

By: Shawn LaFata

Box Score

MACON, Ga. – The University of North Florida men's basketball team kept pace with Mercer for one half of play on Monday at the University Center but fell victim to a red hot Bears squad in a 74-55 loss on the road.

Mercer (14-11, 8-6 A-Sun) shot 81.3 percent from the field in the second half of play and quickly turned an eight-point lead into an advantage that grew to as many as 24 in the opening 10 minutes of the second half. The Bears hit 13 of their 16 second-half shots and 5-of-6 shots beyond the 3-point arc.

"They came out in the second half on fire," UNF head coach Matt Kilcullen said. "It was an eight point game that quickly turned into a 14-point game. They are a team that is playing very well right now. I thought our defense played pretty good. It was a nine-point game at half time. I like the way we fought the whole game but it was one of those games where the ball wouldn't drop for us."

UNF's Eni Cuka and Mercer's James Florence had a battle within the game, matching each other shot-for-shot. Florence finished with a game-high 26 points while Cuka scored 23, hitting 8-of-16 shots.

"I thought Eni did a terrific job for us," Kilcullen said. "He has no fear but just needs a little help right now."

Mercer's starters controlled the game, scoring all but eight of the team's points on the night, putting four starters into double figures.

The game started off at a frenetic pace with both teams getting up and down the floor quickly but neither of them able to build any offensive momentum. Mercer took a 6-4 lead after the first seven minutes of play then expanded that to 11-6 after a Florence steal and layup on the offensive end.

Mercer took a nine-point advantage but the Ospreys (5-19, 3-11 A-Sun) were able to get back into the game thanks to a 3-pointer and a driving layup by Cuka, followed by a Cortez Riley free throw that made it a 22-18 game.

Three offensive rebounds by the Bears and a turnover by the Ospreys with 4.3 seconds in the half helped lead to a 30-22 Mercer advantage at the half.

The Bears pulled down the last nine rebounds of the half and led the rebounding battle 20-14. Florence scored 14 points to lead all players, while Cuka had 11 to lead UNF.

The Ospreys' defense held Mercer to 38.5 percent shooting from the field and allowed only one 3-pointer in the half.

The Bears came out firing in the second half and expanded their lead to 14 points thanks to back-to-back 3-pointers out of the hands of E.J. Kusnyer.

Another Kusnyer 3-pointer combined with five-straight points by Brian Mills pushed the Mercer lead to 18 points. That opening run of the half proved to be the difference, as the Bears were never pushed again in sweeping the season series with the Ospreys.

Mercer won the battle of the boards 37-21. Daniel Emerson led all players with 14 rebounds, matching his 14 points on the evening. Stan Januska led the Ospreys with five rebounds, capturing all of his boards in the first half.

The Ospreys forced Mercer into 20 turnovers, while committing 16 of their own.

UNF will travel to Jacksonville on Thursday for a SunTrust River City Rumble matchup at 7:15 p.m., before hosting Campbell on Saturday at 4:15 p.m.