Banks’ layup with 3 seconds left sends Florida Gulf Coast to 71-70 victory over Mercer
By APSunday, January 24, 2010
Florida Gulf Coast edges Mercer 71-70
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Anthony Banks hit a layup with 3 seconds left to send Florida Gulf Coast to a 71-70 victory over Mercer on Sunday.
E.J. Kusnyer’s 3-pointer gave Mercer a 70-69 lead with 29 seconds to play. Reed Baker missed a 3-pointer, but Banks got the rebound and hit the game-winning shot to snap a six-game losing streak.
Banks finished with 12 points for the Eagles (6-13, 3-6 Atlantic Sun Conference), who led 69-65 with 49 seconds left, before James Florence hit a layup with 45 seconds left to set up Kusnyer’s 3-pointer.
Kyle Marks, who led the Eagles with 14 points, scored eight straight points in an 11-1 run to build a 54-43 lead with 12:21 remaining.
Derrick O’Neil added 13 for Florida Gulf Coast.
Daniel Emerson scored 19 and had 14 rebounds for Mercer (9-10, 5-4). Brian Mills and Kusnyer had 12 points each, Florence added 11 and Jeff Smith scored 10 for the Bears.
