Mercer leads early, beats Northern Kentucky 74-58

Jan 16, 2014, 09:09 pm

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. -- Langston Hall scored 20 points, including a four-point play that gave Mercer a 15-point halftime lead, as the Bears cruised to a 74-58 win over Northern Kentucky Thursday night.

The victory was the fourth straight for the Bears and ninth in their past 10 games. Northern Kentucky now has lost three straight and the loss snapped a five-game home winning streak.

Bud Thomas added 16 points for Mercer, hitting 3 of 6 from 3-point range and pushing the lead to 18 points early in the second half, 43-25.

Mercer (14-5, 5-1 Atlantic Sun) shot 54 percent from the field (27 for 50) and was 13 of 17 from the free throw line.

The Norse were led by Tyler White's 13-points, but no other scorer reached double figures. Northern Kentucky (7-12, 3-4) shot 42 percent (21 for 50) and was 9 of 25 from 3-point range.