MACON - The Mercer Bears inaugurated a new arena Tuesday night with a 73-55 upset victory over Atlantic Sun Conference rival Georgia State, ending the Panthers' seven-game winning streak.<br>
<br>
Delmar Wilson scored 18 points to lead Mercer (8-12, 5-6 A-Sun) before 2,850 in the new University Center Arena. Georgia State (13-5, 8-3) lost for just the second time in the past 10 games, shooting just 35 percent (23-of-65) and 17 percent from 3-point range.<br>
<br>
The Bears also used 23-of-32 free throws to advantage as Panthers starters Nate Williams and Herman Favors fouled out. GSU shot just 5-of-10 from the charity stripe.<br>
<br>
Mercer, which led just 32-31 at halftime, grew a one-point lead at 40-39 with 15:10 to play into an eight-point lead as Williams exited with a fourth foul at 12:17. Georgia State battled back to 50-44 with 6:00 left when Mercer ran off 11 unanswered points.<br>
<br>
The Panthers did not have a player in double figures. Trello Galloway and Lamont McIntosh scored nine, and Williams had eight in 20 minutes on the court.<br>
<br>
James Odoms added 14 points for Mercer.
