CULLOWHEE, N.C. (Interstat) — Western Carolina edged Mercer 78-74 in a Southern Conference men’s basketball game Wednesday night at Ramsey Center. The Catamounts used a strong second half to overcome a narrow halftime deficit.

Mercer led 42-41 early in the second half before Western Carolina mounted a decisive response. The Catamounts improved to 13-15 overall, while the Bears fell to 18-12.

Cord Stansberry led Western Carolina with 21 points. Baraka Okojie scored a game-high 22 points for Mercer in the loss. Attendance was 1,970.