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MACON, Ga. — Hawkins Arena was electric Wednesday night, the squeak of sneakers and roar of the crowd echoing with each tense possession. The Furman Paladins refused to back down, battling repeatedly and forcing Mercer into a nerve-wracking finish. But the Bears’ composure in the final minutes, led by Baraka Okojie’s 25 points and the combined efforts of Brady Shoulders and Armani Mighty, carried Mercer to a hard-earned 69‑64 victory, extending their home winning streak to 13 games.
Furman matched Mercer play for play. Asa Thomas paced the Paladins with 14 points, while Charles Johnston and Cooper Bowser each added 11. Every drive, every rebound, every contested jumper felt decisive. Even as Mercer threatened to pull away, Furman’s resilience kept the game within reach, setting the stage for a final sequence that had fans holding their breath.
First Half: Back-and-Forth Battle
The opening minutes were a test of patience and precision. Furman ran deliberate half-court sets, with Thomas sinking contested jumpers and Bowser crashing the boards for second-chance opportunities. Mercer responded with smart inside play from Shoulders and timely scoring from Okojie, keeping the lead tight. Each possession carried urgency, and neither team could stretch the margin.
Furman held a slight advantage heading into the break, thanks to disciplined execution and well-timed baskets. The tension was evident in every loose ball and rebound, with both benches animated and coaches gesturing frantically. It was a first half defined by grit, intensity, and the sense that the game could swing on any single play.
Second Half: Momentum Swings and Key Runs
Mercer came out of the locker room with a burst of energy, attacking the basket and controlling rebounds to slow Furman’s offense. Okojie drove aggressively, finishing through contact, while Shoulders asserted dominance inside, limiting Furman’s second-chance points. A stretch midway through the half saw Furman held to just one field goal over nearly eight minutes as Mercer executed a 14-6 run to seize control.
Yet the Paladins refused to fold. Cole Bowser’s three-pointer and a halfcourt alley-oop from Alex Wilkins to Cooper Bowser briefly put Furman ahead 56‑55 with five minutes remaining. The pendulum swung back and forth, with every possession carrying weight. Furman’s energy and determination kept them close, while Mercer’s poise ensured the Bears remained within striking distance as the game entered its final stretch.
Late Game: Nerve and Execution Decide the Outcome
The closing minutes were a test of composure. Furman held Mercer scoreless for nearly three minutes, trimming the deficit to 65‑64 on Johnston’s putback with just over 22 seconds left. The Paladins had opportunities to seize control, but Mercer’s calm under pressure proved decisive. Okojie sank two crucial free throws, and Shoulders added another pair after a missed Furman three-pointer, sealing the Bears’ victory.
The final moments highlighted the small margins that defined the game. Furman went 10-for-33 from three-point range and struggled at the line, while Mercer capitalized on rebounds and free throws, converting an 18‑8 scoring advantage from the line and maintaining a 44‑37 rebounding edge, including 24-15 in the second half. Execution in those moments proved the difference between victory and defeat.
Statistical Storylines That Mattered
Furman’s effort was strong, with Thomas scoring 14 points and Johnston and Cooper Bowser adding 11 each, while Tom House contributed 10. The Paladins shot 38 percent overall, making 8-of-13 free throws, but struggled from deep. Mercer shot 36 percent overall but outworked Furman in the paint (30-26) and at the line, showing how discipline and smart execution can outweigh shooting percentages.
Okojie’s 25 points led all scorers, Shoulders added 14, and Mighty grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds, while Zaire Williams contributed 13 points. Mercer’s edge in rebounds and free throws helped overcome Furman’s advantage from three-point range (15 more points from behind the arc) and proved decisive down the stretch.
SoCon Implications and What’s Next
The win moves Mercer to 16‑10 overall, 8‑5 in the Southern Conference, while Furman falls to 16‑10 overall, 7‑6 in the SoCon, leaving both teams tightly bunched in the middle of the standings. Every game from here on matters for tournament positioning, and Wednesday’s battle highlighted just how competitive the league is.
Furman heads to VMI on Saturday, with tipoff at 1 p.m. at Cameron Hall and a live stream on ESPN+. After a game defined by intensity, grit, and dramatic swings, the Paladins know that every conference matchup will demand the same focus and execution they displayed against Mercer — lessons learned in a contest decided by just a handful of plays.
Key Moments to Remember
The final two minutes captured the drama of the night: Furman’s defensive stand, Johnston’s putback that brought the Paladins within one, and the calm, clinical free-throw execution by Okojie and Shoulders. Every rebound, every contested shot, every second of the clock mattered. In the end, Mercer’s composure and Furman’s fight combined to create a game that felt like a championship preview — tense, physical, and impossible to look away from.
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