MACON, Ga. (Interstat) — Mercer outlasted Samford 89-86 in a Southern Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Hawkins Arena. The Bears avenged a 20-point loss to the Bulldogs from three weeks prior.

Baraka Okojie led Mercer with 25 points and six rebounds. Dylan Faulkner scored 27 points for Samford, and Jadin Booth added 26.

The teams were nearly even after halftime, but Mercer’s 44-41 first-half edge proved decisive. The Bears shot a blistering 64% from the floor and scored 42 points in the paint. Samford forced 12 turnovers to stay close, but Mercer’s efficient offense, which posted a 129.2 rating on 69 possessions, secured the win before a crowd of 1,138.