MACON, Ga. (Interstat) — Zaire Williams scored 23 points as Mercer defeated Western Carolina 88-76 in a Southern Conference men’s basketball game Wednesday night at Hawkins Arena.

The Bears built a 41-24 halftime lead and withstood a higher-scoring second half from the Catamounts. Williams added five assists for Mercer. Armani Mighty scored 20 points and Baraka Okojie added 19 for the Bears, who improved to 13-7.

Justin Johnson led Western Carolina with 14 points. The Catamounts, who fell to 6-12, had five players score in double figures but could not overcome the early deficit before an announced crowd of 1,084.