Kusnyer scores 21, Emerson has double-double to lead Mercer to 82-77 win over East Tennessee

Mercer defeats East Tennessee State 82-77

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — E.J. Kusnyer scored 21 points and Daniel Emerson had 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead Mercer to an 82-77 victory over East Tennessee State on Sunday.

The Bears (13-13, 9-7 Atlantic Sun Conference) shot 63.2 percent from the field (12 of 19) in the second half and made its first 25 free throw attempts to snap ETSU’s three-game winning streak. Mercer finished 33-for-40 from the line (82.5 percent) and swept the season series with the Buccaneers (14-13, 10-6).

ETSU fell one game behind Jacksonville and Belmont in the A-Sun.

The Buccaneers had a chance to cut the lead to one point twice in a 15-second span, but went 1-for-4 from the line. Mercer recovered to go 8-for-13 from the line in the final 2:27.

Mercer’s James Florence added 12 points.

Tommy Hubbard had 24 points and 12 rebounds, Justin Tubbs added 13 and Micah Williams and Isiah Brown had 10 each for ETSU.