Jacksonville 65, Mercer 57

3/5/2008 5:02 PM

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -Marcus Allen scored 19 points to lead Jacksonville University to a 65-57 victory over Mercer in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic Sun Conference basketball tournament at Lipscomb's Allen Arena Wednesday afternoon.

The victory sends the Dolphins (16-12) into Friday evening's semifinals against the winner of Thursday afternoon's game between Gardner-Webb and Stetson.

Mark Hall led Mercer (11-18) with 15 points, while Shaddean Aaron added 11.

In addition to Allen, point guard Ben Smith scored 17 points for Jacksonville, including a perfect 10 of 10 at the free throw line. Aric Brooks also scored 12 points for the Dolphins.

Jacksonville was effective at the free throw line, making 23 of 30 shots at the line, compared to just 12 of 19 for the Bears.0

Jacksonville never trailed after an 11-0 run in the first half that stretched out over 6:50 and turned an 11-9 deficit into a 20-11 Dolphins lead with 5:48 to play before halftime.

The Dolphins slowly lengthened the lead in the second half, going up by as many as 14 points with 16:40 to play.

Jacksonville also won the turnover battle, forcing 18 Bears turnovers while committing just 10.