This game is a perfect example of why large universities like Georgia don't normally travel to small in-state schools like Mercer. For more evidence see the outcome of the Tech-Kennesaw State match-up from earlier this season. At the end of this one two Travis Leslie free throws insured that Georgia wouldn't suffer the same fate as Tech as Georgia survived a 56-53 thriller in front of a sold out University Center in Macon.
As was shown in a victory over Arkansas State this past Saturday, Georgia once again showed that it can struggle hanging onto a lead. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 19-8 lead with just over 12 minutes to play only to watch Mercer go on an 11-0 run to tie the game at around the ten minute mark of the first half. The Bears would finish the half on a 12-5 run and take the lead into halftime 31-24. So after scoring 19 points in the first eight minutes of the game, Georgia scored just five more points in the last 12 minutes.
Mercer took control of the game in the second half with a 15-5 run that gave the Bears their largest lead of the game at 48-37. Georgia would answer with a 12-0 run of its own to take a one point lead at 49-48. The lead would see saw back and forth until a Jeremy Price lay up gave the Bulldogs the lead for good with 52 seconds to go.
For Georgia, Trey Thompkins finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds while Travis Leslie also scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds. In a surprising box score revelation, Georgia guards Dustin Ware and Gerald Robinson were held scoreless in 53 combined minutes.
Brian MIlls had 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Bears.
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