Wednesday, January 02, 2008

MACON, Ga. - VMI's Chavis Holmes hit a 3-pointer from deep in the left corner with 4.6 seconds on the clock to give the Keydets a 101-99 lead and the visitors held on to defeat Mercer, 102-99, in men's basketball action Wednesday night at the University Center.

Holmes knocked down two free throws to tie the game at 98-98 with 52.7 seconds left and following a 30-second timeout, the Bears' Shaddean Aaron was called for traveling as Mercer worked the ball upcourt. VMI chose to hold the ball and work the shot clock down, but the Keydets' strategy backfired as freshman Austin Kenon, who hit four consecutive 3-pointers earlier in the contest, misfired on a three-point attempt and Mercer forward Brian Mills was fouled as he collected the rebound.

Mills missed the first free throw and VMI head coach Duggar Baucom called timeout in an attempt to ice the freshman, but Mills drained the second attempt with 11.1 ticks on the clock, giving the Bears a 99-98 advantage, but the Keydets' hurried the ball upcourt, setting up Holmes' heroics.

Mercer (5-8) had an opportunity to tie or win the contest with less than three seconds left, but Mills' inbounds pass was intercepted by Travis Holmes - the twin brother of Chavis Holmes - who hit one-of-two free throws and Aaron’s half-court desperation shot at the buzzer fell shy.

"This was a disappointing loss," said Mercer head coach Mark Slonaker. "We cannot afford to give up 65 second-half points and expect to win."