Jeff Smith scored a career-high 21 points, including a buzzr-beating 3-pointer, to lift Mercer over Jacksonville 75-74 on Saturday.
The Bears (5-8, 1-2 Atlantic Sun Conference), who had lost seven of their last eight, snapped a three-game skid.
Ben Smith gave the Dolphins the lead with two free throws with 4 seconds left. Mercer's Smith took the ball the length of the court, pump-faked twice and hit the 3. Officials conferred before counting the basket.
Jacksonville (3-8, 0-3), which had won two straight for the UCF Holiday Classic title, was the preseason media pick to win the conference.
James Florence added 20 points for the Bears. Daniel Emerson had his eighth double-double of the season with 17 points and 14 boards.
Jacksonville's Smith scored 28, becoming the first Dolphin since Artemus McClary in 1996 to surpass 1,500 career points, and has 1,524.
