Mercer 66, Kennesaw St. 42

Feb 1, 2014, 10:11 pm

MACON, Ga. -- Travis Smith scored 18 points as Mercer avenged a loss to Kennesaw State last month by routing the Owls 66-42 Friday night.

The victory moved the Bears (14-9, 7-3) into a four-way tie for the Atlantic Sun Conference lead with Florida Gulf Coast, South Carolina Upstate and Jacksonville.

Smith capped a 14-4 Mercer run with a 3-pointer and a three-point play that gave the Bears a 23-13 lead with 6:35 left before halftime.

Mercer led 29-17 at halftime and continued to increase its lead in the second half. The Bears shot 47.9 percent (23 of 48) for the game while holding Kennesaw State (2-20, 1-9) to 27.8 percent (15 of 54).

Jakob Gollun added 13 points for Mercer.

No Kennesaw State player scored in double figures. Markeith Cummings, the Atlantic Sun's leading scorer, returned after missing two games by coach's decision. He didn't start and finished with five points.