MACON, Ga. (Interstat) — In a Southern Conference clash defined by razor-thin margins and clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch, the Mercer Bears edged the Samford Bulldogs 89-86 on Saturday afternoon at Hawkins Arena.

The game, played before an announced crowd of 1,138, was a dramatic reversal from the teams’ meeting just two weeks prior, which Samford won by 20 points. This time, Mercer’s superior efficiency and composure at the foul line in the final seconds proved decisive.

The contest was tightly contested throughout, featuring 15 ties and 14 lead changes. Neither team led by more than seven points. Samford held a narrow 41-44 deficit at halftime, and the second half continued the pattern of back-and-forth action.

The most critical sequence unfolded in the final 14 seconds with Mercer clinging to an 87-85 lead. Samford’s Jadin Booth, who finished with 26 points, was fouled on a three-point attempt and went to the line with a chance to give the Bulldogs the lead. He made the first free throw but missed the second, leaving the score at 87-86. After Mercer’s Baraka Okojie secured the defensive rebound, he was immediately fouled.

Okojie, the game’s standout performer, calmly sank both free throws with 9 seconds remaining to extend Mercer’s lead to 89-86. Samford had one final chance to force overtime, but Booth’s contested three-point attempt from the wing missed. Dylan Faulkner’s tip-in at the buzzer was inconsequential, securing the three-point victory for the home team.

Okojie, a junior guard from Brampton, Canada, led all scorers with 25 points, adding six rebounds and five assists. His performance at the line was impeccable, going 7-for-7, including the four decisive free throws in the final minute. He was supported by a double-double from Armani Mighty of Toronto, who had 14 points and 13 rebounds, and 21 points from Quinton Perkins of Dallas.

For Samford, Faulkner, a forward from Calhoun, Georgia, was dominant inside, scoring 27 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Booth’s 26 points came on a mix of outside shooting and drives to the basket. Despite the high-scoring output, the Bulldogs were ultimately undone by Mercer’s exceptional shooting efficiency.

The statistical story of the game was Mercer’s remarkable offensive execution. The Bears shot a blistering 64% from the field, making 32 of 50 attempts. Samford, by contrast, shot 46.9% on 30-of-64 shooting. Mercer also capitalized on its possessions more effectively, posting an offensive rating of 129.2 points per 100 possessions compared to Samford’s 117.9.

Samford fought to stay in the game by forcing 12 Mercer turnovers, converting them into 18 points, and by shooting 87% from the free-throw line. However, Mercer’s ability to score in the paint, where they held a 42-36 advantage, and on fast breaks, where they led 14-6, provided crucial scoring avenues.

With the win, Mercer improved to 18-11 overall and strengthened its position in the conference standings. Samford fell to 16-13. The result also marked a significant cover for Mercer, which had been installed as a 3.5-point pregame favorite. The combined score of 175 points sailed over the posted over/under line of 154.

According to the game’s key play-by-play data, the final minutes were a tense exchange of leads. After Faulkner gave Samford an 85-83 lead with a layup with just under a minute to play, Mercer responded with an Armani Mighty layup assisted by Connor Serven to tie the game. On the ensuing possession, Okojie drew a foul and made two free throws to put Mercer ahead for good at 87-85, setting the stage for the dramatic final seconds.

Both teams continue Southern Conference play next week. Mercer travels to face Western Carolina on Wednesday, while Samford returns home to host Virginia Military Institute on Thursday.