Santa Barbara edges Mercer 65-60 in OT

Nov 29, 2014, 02:52 am

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Alan Williams scored 22 points and grabbed 20 rebounds, Michael Bryson hit a 3-pointer at the end of regulation and UC Santa Barbara went on to defeat Mercer 65-60 Friday night to earn a date with Colorado State in the championship game of the Great Alaska Shootout.

Bryson also hit a 3-pointer in the extra session to give the Gauchos (3-2) a 60-54 lead and finished with 17 points.

The Bears (3-3) had rallied from 10 down in the second half behind Phillip Leonard (17 points), Ike Nwamu (16), T.J. Hallis (16) and Darius Moten (11). Moten's dunk capped a 23-8 run for a 45-40 lead with 5:42 to play.

UCSB had a 45-31 rebounding advantage, which helped off-set 19 turnovers. By hitting 7 of 8 free throws in overtime, the Gauchos, who led 25-20 at the half, finished 19 of 24 from the line.