Central Georgia Sports ReportDecember 06, 2018Comment

Wednesday's Daily News 'n Notes: Mercer women's/men's hoops; United's Martinez MVP; Tech and bowl/search talk; and more

Central Georgia Sports ReportDecember 06, 2018Comment

Wednesday's Central Georgia - and of interest to Central Georgia - news and notes, compiled from staff reports, email reports, the web, and social media.

Mercer loses heartbreaker to Florida State

Things were in place for Mercer to take an ACC scalp at home, the Bears leading by 11 in the second quarter and 12 in the third.

But Florida State stormed back in the fourth, regained a lead it hadn’t had since midway in the first, countered KeKe Calloway’s lead-taking bucket 15 seconds later and held onto nip Mercer 57-56 in women’s hoops at Hawkins Arena.

The Seminoles led for about five minutes in the first quarter, and then for a long stretch of less than two minutes until the end. Nicki Ekhomu’s jumper put FSU up 57-56 with two minutes left, and the Bears had two turnovers and missed two shots as they couldn’t take advantage of a sloppy Seminoles finish.

FSU missed two shots and had three turnovers in the final two minutes. Calloway missed a 3 with five seconds left, FSU got the rebound and turned it over, but Amanda Thompson was whistled for a charge.

“They were defending KeKe so tight on the last play and that's what teams will do, defend the leading scorer,” Mercer head coach Susie Gardner said. “Amanda had another good game for us, so the objective was to go to her and the defender jumped out and drew the charge."

Mercer was outshot 42.9-39.3 percent, but was better at the line and had three fewer turnovers.

Peach County grad Nausia Woolfolk had 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting, with four assists and steals plus five turnovers in 33 minutes. Calloway led Mercer with 21 and Thompson had 18.

The Bears (4-5) host Charlotte on Sunday.

United’s Martinez takes MLS MVP

After crushing the league’s mark for goals in a season, it was no stunner for Atlanta’s Josef Martinez to win the MLS’s top individual honor.

He’s not going anywhere

Georgia’s Tucker takes Colorado job, leaves ASAP

Colorado’s hiring of UGA defensive coordinator Mel Tucker became official, and he won’t coach in the bowl game.

He was introduced Wednesday

Johnson, Minnesota’s Fleck talk about the matchup

Head coaches Paul Johnson of Georgia Tech and P.J. Fleck of Minnesota – two slightly different personalities – met the media to talk about the Quick Lane Bowl.

Game is a reward for both

Stansbury taking his time on coaching search

Georgia Tech’s Todd Stansbury won’t be making any knee-jerk moves.

Around Central Georgia

Mercer’s strong second half not enough at FAU

Around Georgia

Georgia State enjoys walk-off win over Alabama

Braves Qs and As

Hawks fall to Wizards

Football updates

Georgia

Smart finalist for Dodd Trophy