MACON, Ga. (Interstat) — Mercer defeated visiting Western Carolina 17-14 on Saturday at Five Star Stadium before 3,139 in an NCAA Football Championship Division game. The Bears improved to 5-2, while the Catamounts fell to 3-4. Mercer scored seven points in the second quarter and 10 in the third. Western Carolina scored seven in the first and seven in the third. Western Carolina quarterback Lex Thomas completed 19 of 35 passes for 215 yards, ran 15 times for 18 yards and caught a 5-yard touchdown pass. Mercer quarterback JP Pickles completed 12 of 15 passes for 132 yards, ran 19 times for 71 yards and accounted for two touchdowns. Western Carolina’s Chase Kerns added five tackles and 1.5 sacks. Nassor Ashenafi made 10 tackles and half a sack. Jayden Cornelius recorded two interceptions and three tackles. Jai Boyd threw that scoring pass and finished with six receptions for 76 yards. Mercer’s Ronin Dangler and Jyarius Carter each made nine tackles. Brayden Smith caught five passes for 43 yards and scored for Mercer.