Russell Powell scored 19 points to lead four Jacksonville players in double figures in an 81-75 win over Mercer on Saturday.
Jacksonville broke open a close game with a 16-4 run early in the second half to lead 53-31 after a layup by Evin Graham with 15:10 to play. Then, ahead 59-50, the Dolphins went on a 13-4 run to grab its biggest lead of the game at 72-54 after two free throws by Shamile Jeffers with 7:39 to go.
Mercer responded with a 21-5 run to close the deficit to 77-75 with 15 second left. But the Dolphins made four straight free throws to seal it.
Glenn Powell added 14 points, Aloys Cabell had 13 and Tevin Galvin 12 for the Dolphins (7-20, 5-11 Atlantic Sun Conference).
Langston Hall scored 20 points and Daniel Coursey added 16 for the Bears (20-8, 12-3), who had a nine-game winning streak snapped.
