Jan 3, 2004

Final Stats

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) - Kahleaf Watson scored 18 points and Florida Atlantic shot 89.5 percent from the field over the final 11:27 to beat Mercer 90-72 on Saturday night.

Watson had eight of his points during a 20-3 run over a six-minute stretch of the second half, as Florida Atlantic (6-4, 3-0 Atlantic Sun) turned a two-point deficit into a 78-63 lead with 4:00 remaining. The Owls, who made 19 of their first 47 shots, made 17 of their last 19 to pull away.

Watson shot 9-for-10 for the Owls, who also got 15 points from Mike Bell - the lone starter in double figures. Robert Williams and Jimmy Bishop each had 11 points off the bench for Florida Atlantic and another reserve, Darren Dickerson, had a game-high eight assists for the Owls.

Wesley Duke had 18 points for Mercer (5-7, 2-1), which lost despite shooting 56.3 percent for the game. Delmar Wilson added 16 points for Mercer, Tyler McCurry had 12 and Jay January scored 11.

Mercer led by as many as six points in the second half, but turnovers doomed the Bears. Florida Atlantic scored 30 points off Mercer's 23 turnovers.

Florida Atlantic also dominated the boards, outrebounding Mercer 37-21.