Mercer Faces Furman at BSWA » Greenville Sports Media

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The Mercer Bears (11-14, 4-8 SoCon) face off in Bons Secours Wellness Arena the one-year home of Furman Paladins (18-7, 6-6 SoCon) for a matchup for who can move into the bye at the up-and-coming Southern Conference tournament. Furman last played Saturday away at UT Chattanooga and took a huge loss 72-85.

Furman is back at the Well to host Mercer. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+. pic.twitter.com/7CJD7Yys5i
— Furman Basketball (@FurmanMBB) February 12, 2025

The first half of the game has been all Furman as they jump out to a 25-9 lead with 11:57 in the first half. Furman has been able to steal the ball 5 times, along with 8 rebounds and some bad passes by a young Mercer team. The Paladins look like the part of a top team in the SoCon. The Paladins are also shooting 60% from 3-point range and 62.5% from FG range at this point of the game. Mercer at this point is shooting 40% from FG range, 33.3% from 3-point range and with just 6 rebounds. Mercer with just 6:10 in the half is now down 41-22 to the Paladins who allowed Mercer within 12 until Tom House shots 2 3-pointers to extend Furman’s lead by 19. Furman is still shooting 64.3% from 3-point range, and 62.5% from FG range, 12 rebounds with 6 steals.

Tom House for THREEEEEE!!! pic.twitter.com/JKSdFVsQJc
— Furman Basketball (@FurmanMBB) February 13, 2025

The Paladins would end the half in great fashion with a 52-35 lead over the Mercer Bears. Furman was 56.7% from FG range, 61.1% from 3-point range, and 77.8% from FT line. Mercer shot 42.4 from FG range, 50% from 3-point, and 33.3% from the FT line. Furman had 11 points from turnovers, 10 points in the paint, 11 fast break points, and a huge 17 points off the bench. Mercer trailed in every category but 12 points in the paint. Nick Anderson led all scorers with 15 points with 2 assist, and Tom House had 13 points and 3 rebounds for Furman. Ahmad Robinson led Mercer with 11 points in the first half.

Halftime
𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙨
Ahmad: 11 PTS, 4 REB
Brady: 6 PTS, 5 REB
Marcus: 6 PTS, 3 REB#GoBers pic.twitter.com/SqEqbe61Wz
— Mercer Men's Basketball (@MercerMBB) February 13, 2025

Mercer comes out strong in the second half and at the 13-minute mark has cut the Furman lead to 7 points behind some great shooting and defense. The media timeout hits us with 12 minutes to go in the game and Furman is now back in the lead 64-54. Paladins shooting 50% from FG range while 53.8% from 3-point range. Mercer has turned theirs around and is shooting 51.1% from FG range, and 50% from 3-point range.

Eddrin Bronson for 3⃣ pic.twitter.com/mYF0E51OGD
— Furman Basketball (@FurmanMBB) February 13, 2025

We have 9 minutes left in the game and Furman still has the lead 71-62 and are trying to keep Mercer in check. Alex Holt for Mercer has come alive and is leading with 15 points for the Bears, while Nick Anderson for Furman has 18 points leading all scorers in the game at this point. Furman is starting to come alive again as with just under 7 minutes to play they lead 80-66, shooting 54.8% from 3-point range, and 49% from FG range, 27 rebounds and 9 steals in the game. Mercer has 31 rebounds, 5 steals, shooting 51.9% from FG, and 42,9% from 3-point range.

Getting to the rim for the lay in 🪣@BradyShoulders #GoBears pic.twitter.com/BtSgHkUMAw
— Mercer Men's Basketball (@MercerMBB) February 13, 2025

Furman has pulled away with a 85-66 game with 3:48 left in the game. Furman has 5 players in double figures as Anderson, House, Hien, VanderWal, and PJay Smith are all balling tonight for the Paladins. The Bears have 3 in double figures with Robinson, Holt, and Johnson leading the Bears tonight. Bears are still leading with 33 rebounds to Furman’s 30 in the game.

Cooper Bowser with the DUNK 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ScftCrGtsj
— Furman Basketball (@FurmanMBB) February 13, 2025

We have under a minute to play, and the Paladins hold a 94-72 lead over the Bears. The Paladins will go on to win this game 96-72 and get a much needed victory.