NCAAB · Final

East Tennessee State Defeats Mercer in Close Contest

Saturday, January 3, 2026, 4:00 PM ET · Freedom Hall (TN)

East Tennessee State Buccaneers 77, Mercer Bears 71, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Mercer Bears vs East Tennessee State Buccaneers?

East Tennessee State Buccaneers beat Mercer Bears 77-71 at Freedom Hall (TN) on January 3, 2026.

Who was favored in Mercer Bears vs East Tennessee State Buccaneers?

East Tennessee State Buccaneers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -305 (about 75% implied). The favorite won.

In a competitive matchup, the East Tennessee State Buccaneers triumphed over the Mercer Bears with a final score of 77-71 at Freedom Hall in Tennessee. This victory marks a continuation of East Tennessee State's strong performance at home, improving their home record to 6-1 in the last ten games. The Buccaneers have shown a solid scoring average of 77.6 points while allowing 67.2 points during this stretch. Their recent form includes a win against The Citadel Bulldogs, where they dominated with a score of 74-49, and a narrow loss to Jacksonville State, where they fell 75-81.

On the other hand, Mercer has been somewhat inconsistent, holding an away record of 2-4 in their last ten games. They have averaged 83.7 points scored but have allowed 70.9 points, indicating a tendency for high-scoring encounters. Their most recent game resulted in a close loss to the Furman Paladins, with a score of 72-74, which snapped a streak of three wins prior to that.

Historically, the Buccaneers have had the upper hand against the Bears, winning both previous meetings in the 2025 season. The most recent encounter was a nail-biter on February 26, 2025, where East Tennessee State edged out Mercer 59-58. In their earlier matchup on January 9, 2025, the Buccaneers again secured a close victory with a score of 70-68.

In terms of player availability, the block did not specify any injuries impacting either team, suggesting that both sides may have fielded their strongest lineups for this contest. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had East Tennessee State favored by 7.5 points, with a total set at 148.5. The moneyline was listed at -305 for the Buccaneers and +245 for the Bears, reflecting the expectation of a competitive game.

The conditions in Freedom Hall were conducive to a spirited contest, with fans likely contributing to the home-court advantage for the Buccaneers. As the game unfolded, viewers witnessed a series of pivotal scoring plays in the second half, including critical free throws from Brian Taylor II and Baraka Okojie that helped East Tennessee State maintain their lead. The final moments saw the Buccaneers effectively manage their advantage, sealing the victory with free throws from Allen Strothers and Blake Barkley.

Overall, the game showcased East Tennessee State's ability to perform under pressure at home, while Mercer will look to regroup and address their recent inconsistencies as they move forward in the season.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	ETSU -7.5	148.5 o -105 / u -115	Mercer Bears +245 · East Tennessee State Buccaneers -305

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsBrian Taylor II21East Tennessee State Buccaneers
AssistsBrian Taylor II2East Tennessee State Buccaneers
ReboundsBrian Taylor II8East Tennessee State Buccaneers
PointsBrady Shoulders21Mercer Bears
AssistsBaraka Okojie4Mercer Bears
ReboundsArmani Mighty9Mercer Bears

Recent form

East Tennessee State Buccaneers

Last 10: 6-4Streak W177.6 scored · 67.2 allowed per game5-1 at home

W74-49at The Citadel BulldogsDec 30
L75-81vs Jacksonville State GamecocksDec 20
L58-77at North Carolina Tar HeelsDec 17
L75-76at Austin Peay GovernorsDec 13
W78-62vs Tusculum PioneersDec 7
W91-65vs South Alabama JaguarsDec 6
L71-88at Dayton FlyersDec 3
W80-57vs Central Arkansas BearsNov 29
W97-55vs UL Monroe WarhawksNov 23
W77-62vs Morehead State EaglesNov 22

Mercer Bears

Last 10: 6-4Streak L183.7 scored · 70.9 allowed per game2-4 away

L72-74at Furman PaladinsDec 31
W122-49vs Baptist (Fl) EaglesDec 28
L78-84at Washington State CougarsDec 20
L63-81at UCF KnightsDec 18
L63-70at Clemson TigersDec 13
W100-50vs Oglethorpe Stormy PetrelsDec 7
W78-67vs Georgia State PanthersDec 3
W91-84at Elon PhoenixNov 29
W75-67vs App State MountaineersNov 26
W95-83at Eastern Kentucky ColonelsNov 22

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
East Tennessee State	23-11	-	13-5
Mercer	19-13	2	11-7
Wofford	19-13	2	11-7
Samford	18-14	2	11-7
Furman	22-13	3	10-8
Western Carolina	15-16	3	10-8
UNC Greensboro	15-19	4	9-9
Chattanooga	13-19	6	7-11
The Citadel	11-22	6	7-11
VMI	6-26	12	1-17

Box score

Stat	Mercer Bears	East Tennessee State Buccaneers
Field goals	25-58	24-57
Field goal %	43	42
Three-pointers	9-28	6-19
Three-point %	32	32
Free throws	12-17	23-27
Free throw %	71	85
Rebounds	31	40
Offensive rebounds	11	16
Defensive rebounds	20	24
Assists	11	8
Steals	5	8
Blocks	3	5
Turnovers	13	12
Team turnovers	0	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	16	22
Fast-break points	16	7
Points in the paint	26	30
Fouls	20	20
Largest lead	6	12
Lead changes	10	10
Time in front	36	50

How the scoring went

2nd Half41-40Brian Taylor II makes driving layup
2nd Half41-41Brian Taylor II makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half41-43Blake Barkley makes 4-foot dunk
2nd Half43-43Brady Shoulders makes layup
2nd Half46-43Zaire Williams makes 24-foot three point jumper (Brady Shoulders assists)
2nd Half46-44Brian Taylor II makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half46-45Brian Taylor II makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half49-45Brady Shoulders makes 25-foot three point jumper (Baraka Okojie assists)
2nd Half49-47Cam Morris III makes layup
2nd Half50-47Armani Mighty makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half50-48Jaylen Smith makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half50-49Jaylen Smith makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half53-49Brady Shoulders makes 26-foot three point jumper (Quinton Perkins II assists)
2nd Half53-51Cam Morris III makes layup
2nd Half53-53Blake Barkley makes layup (Cam Morris III assists)
2nd Half53-54Blake Barkley makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half53-56Jaylen Smith makes layup
2nd Half56-56Quinton Perkins II makes 27-foot three point jumper
2nd Half56-58Blake Barkley makes layup (Allen Strothers assists)
2nd Half58-58Connor Serven makes 6-foot hook shot
2nd Half60-58Baraka Okojie makes 18-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half60-60Jaylen Smith makes layup
2nd Half60-63Jaylen Smith makes 27-foot three point jumper (Brian Taylor II assists)
2nd Half60-64Jaylen Smith makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half60-65Jaylen Smith makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half60-68Brian Taylor II makes 23-foot three point jumper (Blake Barkley assists)
2nd Half60-70Blake Barkley makes layup (Brian Taylor II assists)
2nd Half60-72Blake Barkley makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half62-72Quinton Perkins II makes driving layup
2nd Half63-72Baraka Okojie makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half64-72Baraka Okojie makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half67-72Brady Shoulders makes 26-foot three point jumper (Baraka Okojie assists)
2nd Half67-73Brian Taylor II makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half67-74Brian Taylor II makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half68-74Baraka Okojie makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half69-74Baraka Okojie makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half71-74Baraka Okojie makes layup
2nd Half71-75Allen Strothers makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half71-76Blake Barkley makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half71-77Blake Barkley makes free throw 2 of 2

Win probability

Above the line favours East Tennessee State Buccaneers, below favours Mercer Bears.