New Year’s Eve Hoops

GEORGIA TECH 87, Mercer (Bears, 5,500 students, Macon, GA) 78 – Sophomore Glen Rice Jr. scored a career-high 24 points and Iman Shumpert added all of his 15 points in the second half to lead Georgia Tech to a come-from-behind win over Mercer on Friday.

Freshmen Jason Morris and Kammeon Holsey each added a career-high 13 points for the Yellow Jackets (7-5).

nkins on the first play of the fourth. His 48-yard return set up Daniels' 8-yard TD run to make it 31-13 and gave the Tigers (6-7) their first losing season in 11 years.

After a slow start, the Bulls finished with wins in five of their last seven games and gave the beleaguered Big East a 3-1 bowl record.

Jeff Smith led Mercer (3-10) with 23 points. The Bears, who have lost seven of eight, also got 16 points from Brian Mills.