Brandon Moore scored 22 points and Brian Mills added 21 as Mercer pulled away late in the second half to defeat Kennesaw State 78-70 on Tuesday night.
The game was tied at 36 after a first half that featured eight ties and 14 lead changes.
The Bears (7-14, 4-6 Atlantic Sun Conference) never trailed in the second. Ahead 56-55 with 8:02 left, they used a 13-5 run over the next 5 minutes to lead by nine.
The Owls (5-15, 3-7) got within four at 74-70 with 34 seconds left, but Mercer hit 4 of 4 free throws and Kennesaw State missed two field goals.
The Bears, who have won three of their last four games, made 9 of 12 free throws in the final 1:24.
Mercer had a 36-29 rebounding edge, with Mills grabbing nine rebounds and Moore eight.
Markeith Cummings scored 23 points and LaDaris Green had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Owls, who have lost three straight.
