Second half powers Evansville past Mercer, 89-76

Nov 19, 2014, 12:13 am

EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- D.J. Ballantine and Duane Gibson combined to score 52 points, going a collective 25 of 27 from the free throw line, to lead a second-half Evansville comeback that rolled over Mercer 89-76.

Ballantine was 14 of 15 from the line and led all scorers with 29 points. Gibson finished with 23 points and was 11 of 12 from the free throw line. The Purple Aces (3-0) were 31 of 38 from the line as a team and was 27 of 50 from the field.

Adam Wing added 15 points for Evansville, connecting on 3 of 4 3-point attempts.

Langston Hall had 25 points to lead the Bears (2-2). Jakob Gollon added 11 points and Daniel Coursey had 10.

Mercer took a 41-38 lead at intermission, but saw the Purple Aces take a 51-35 scoring advantage in the second half.