Kusnyer's 22 points, Emerson's 16 points, 8 rebounds propel Mercer over Bryant 80-56

Associated Press

Last update: November 14, 2009 - 5:17 PM

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - E.J. Kusnyer scored 22 points and Daniel Emerson added 16 points and eight rebounds as Mercer rolled over Bryant 80-56 on Saturday.

Mercer opened the game on an 18-2 run and never looked back.

The Bears (2-0) flexed their muscles on the glass, outrebounding the Bulldogs (0-2) 40-25.

Mercer's 42.3 percent shooting from 3-point range buoyed the Bears to a 45-21 halftime lead.

With most of Mercer's starters on the bench to begin the second half, Bryant pieced together an 11-2 run, led by Cecil Gresham, who scored a team-high 17 points.

But Kusnyer's 6-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc sealed the win for the Bears.

James Florence added 14 points for Mercer, which looks to continue its undefeated start against Providence in the World Vision Invitational on Sunday. Bryant will play Bucknell.

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