Saturday, February 07, 2009

KENNESAW - There's no place like home as far as Daniel Emerson is concerned. Of course, the exact definition of home may vary.

The former Norcross standout and St. Mary's native is back home in Georgia in his first season at Mercer University after transferring to the Macon school from Western Kentucky. He sat out last season.

Thursday night was also a homecoming of sorts for the 6-foot-8, 235-pound redshirt junior forward. It was his first game back in metro Atlanta since transferring in the Bears' Atlantic Sun Conference matchup at Kennesaw State.

In either case, returning home has agreed with Emerson. He finished with 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists in Mercer's 75-56 victory at the KSU Convocation Center. He came into the game as the Bears' leading rebounder (10.5) and was second in scoring (13.6 ppg), field goal percentage (.488) and 3-point field goal percentage (.361).

Those numbers have jumped dramatically from his two seasons at Western Kentucky, and while increased minutes have been one reason, Emerson admits a little home cooking has also done wonders for his game.

By David Friedlander
Gwinnett Daily Post