Jan. 2, 2004

BOCA RATON, FL - Florida Atlantic University and Mercer University will square off Saturday night in Boca Raton in a battle of two undefeated Atlantic Sun Conference teams. FAU enters the game 5-4 overall while Mercer is 5-6. Both teams are tied atop the A-Sun at 2-0. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00pm at FAU Gymnasium.

FAU is coming off a 101-61 win over Mary Washington Monday night at home. The victory was the Owls' largest since January 1991. In the win over MWC, FAU placed five players in double-figures and set a team record with 31 assists. Mike Bell, who leads the A-Sun with 20.6 points per game, led all scorers with 24 points while Pierre Tucker chipped in 19.

Mercer last played December 27 in a 101-44 loss at Alabama. The Bears are led by A-Sun Preseason Player-of-the-Year candidate Scott Emerson who is averaging 19.0 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. Emerson, however, has been sidelined the past two games with a foot injury.

Both FAU and Mercer played two A-Sun games in mid-December. The Owls had wins at Gardner-Webb and Campbell while the Bears defeated Lipscomb and Belmont at home.

The all-time series between the two teams is tied 7-7. Mercer swept both games last year while FAU did the same two years ago. The Owls are 3-4 against the Bears at home.

The game is the first of two in three days for the Owls as they host Georgia State Monday night.

Tickets are available at the door. Prices are $7.00 for adult reserved, $5 for seniors/children reserved, and $5 for general admission.