Samford Bulldogs Dominate Mercer Bears 69-49
Saturday, February 7, 2026, 6:00 PM ET · Pete Hanna Center
Samford Bulldogs 69, Mercer Bears 49, 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 Samford Bulldogs?
Samford Bulldogs beat Mercer Bears 69-49 at Pete Hanna Center on February 7, 2026.
In a decisive victory, the Samford Bulldogs triumphed over the Mercer Bears with a final score of 69-49. This matchup, held at the Pete Hanna Center, showcased the Bulldogs' strong performance, particularly in the second half, where they outscored the Bears significantly. The Bulldogs entered the game with a home record of 13-12, while the Bears had an away record of 15-10.
The Bulldogs have displayed a mixed form recently, with a record of 4-6 over their last ten games. However, they were on a two-game winning streak leading into this contest, averaging 78.3 points scored and allowing 77.5 points during this stretch. Their last game before facing Mercer was a solid win against The Citadel Bulldogs, where they secured a 78-64 victory. At home, Samford has performed well with a record of 3-2 in their last five games, averaging 78.4 points scored and 73.6 points allowed.
On the other hand, the Mercer Bears came into this game with a record of 7-3 in their last ten matchups, although they were on a one-game losing streak after falling to the Chattanooga Mocs 75-79. The Bears have been prolific in scoring, averaging 89.0 points over their recent games, but they have also allowed 78.9 points. Their away record of 2-3 in the last five games reflects some challenges on the road, despite their overall strong performance this season.
Historically, the Bulldogs have had the upper hand against the Bears, winning both of their previous meetings in the 2025 season. The first encounter saw Samford winning 100-79 at home, and they followed that with a narrow 75-74 victory in a closely contested away game. This recent history likely contributed to the Bulldogs' confidence going into this matchup.
In terms of player availability, the block does not specify any injuries affecting either team, suggesting that both squads were at full strength for this important game. The betting lines from DraftKings indicated a close contest, with Mercer favored by 1.5 points and a total set at 160.5. The odds reflected an expectation of a competitive game, but the Bulldogs' performance proved otherwise.
Conditions for the game were typical for the venue, and the atmosphere in the Pete Hanna Center was likely charged with excitement as the Bulldogs aimed to extend their winning streak. Fans witnessed a strong showing from Samford, particularly in the second half, where they maintained control and effectively shut down Mercer’s offense.
Key moments in the second half included a series of scoring plays that highlighted Samford's dominance. Notable contributions came from players like Jadin Booth, who made crucial free throws, and Armani Mighty, who executed a powerful dunk, further solidifying the Bulldogs' lead. The final score of 69-49 underscored the Bulldogs' defensive prowess and offensive efficiency, leaving no doubt about their superiority in this matchup.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | MER -1.5 | 160.5 o -108 / u -112 | Mercer Bears -110 · Samford Bulldogs -110 |
Leaders
- PointsJadin Booth28Samford Bulldogs
- AssistsKeaton Norris2Samford Bulldogs
- ReboundsDylan Faulkner12Samford Bulldogs
- PointsBaraka Okojie25Mercer Bears
- AssistsQuinton Perkins II3Mercer Bears
- ReboundsArmani Mighty9Mercer Bears
Recent form
Samford Bulldogs
Last 10: 4-6Streak W278.3 scored · 77.5 allowed per game3-2 at home
- W78-64vs The Citadel BulldogsFeb 6
- W88-74at Western Carolina CatamountsFeb 1
- L73-78at Furman PaladinsJan 29
- W75-64vs Chattanooga MocsJan 24
- L78-88at Wofford TerriersJan 21
- L75-76vs East Tennessee State BuccaneersJan 17
- L73-77vs Furman PaladinsJan 15
- L79-88at Chattanooga MocsJan 10
- W82-77vs Western Carolina CatamountsJan 8
- L82-89at UNC Greensboro SpartansJan 3
Mercer Bears
Last 10: 7-3Streak L189 scored · 78.9 allowed per game2-3 away
- L75-79at Chattanooga MocsFeb 6
- W95-81vs VMI KeydetsJan 31
- W95-77vs UNC Greensboro SpartansJan 30
- L77-80at Wofford TerriersJan 24
- W88-76vs Western Carolina CatamountsJan 22
- W102-92at UNC Greensboro SpartansJan 17
- W77-67at VMI KeydetsJan 15
- W109-97vs Wofford TerriersJan 10
- W101-63vs The Citadel BulldogsJan 8
- L71-77at East Tennessee State BuccaneersJan 3
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 | Samford Bulldogs |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 16-59 | 24-50 |
| Field goal % | 27 | 48 |
| Three-pointers | 4-17 | 6-19 |
| Three-point % | 24 | 32 |
| Free throws | 13-17 | 15-20 |
| Free throw % | 76 | 75 |
| Rebounds | 36 | 39 |
| Offensive rebounds | 10 | 4 |
| Defensive rebounds | 26 | 35 |
| Assists | 7 | 7 |
| Steals | 4 | 5 |
| Blocks | 1 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 9 | 10 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 7 | 14 |
| Fast-break points | 13 | 5 |
| Points in the paint | 16 | 28 |
| Fouls | 16 | 16 |
| Largest lead | 2 | 23 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 2 | 94 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half19-34Baraka Okojie makes free throw 1 of 2
- 1st Half20-34Baraka Okojie makes free throw 2 of 2
- 1st Half20-35Will Shaver makes free throw 1 of 2
- 1st Half22-35Baraka Okojie makes 10-foot jumper
- 1st Half22-37Dylan Faulkner makes layup (Keaton Norris assists)
- 1st Half22-40Kam Martin makes 24-foot three point jumper (Isaiah Campbell-Finch assists)
- 2nd Half24-40Armani Mighty makes layup (Baraka Okojie assists)
- 2nd Half25-40Armani Mighty makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half25-41Jadin Booth makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half25-42Jadin Booth makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half25-44Jadin Booth makes layup
- 2nd Half25-46Jadin Booth makes 20-foot jumper
- 2nd Half26-46Baraka Okojie makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half27-46Baraka Okojie makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half29-46Armani Mighty makes layup (Connor Serven assists)
- 2nd Half29-48Isaiah Campbell-Finch makes 10-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half32-48Zaire Williams makes 26-foot three point jumper (Tristan Gross assists)
- 2nd Half32-49Jadin Booth makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half32-50Jadin Booth makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half32-52Dylan Faulkner makes layup
- 2nd Half32-54Dylan Faulkner makes 1-foot dunk
- 2nd Half34-54Zaire Williams makes 7-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half34-56Dylan Faulkner makes layup
- 2nd Half36-56Baraka Okojie makes 9-foot jumper
- 2nd Half36-57Jadin Booth makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half36-58Jadin Booth makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half37-58Armani Mighty makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half38-58Armani Mighty makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half38-61Keaton Norris makes 25-foot three point jumper (Will Shaver assists)
- 2nd Half40-61Armani Mighty makes 3-foot dunk (Quinton Perkins II assists)
- 2nd Half40-63Keaton Norris makes 12-foot jumper
- 2nd Half42-63Baraka Okojie makes 1-foot dunk
- 2nd Half42-65Isaiah Campbell-Finch makes 12-foot jumper
- 2nd Half45-65Baraka Okojie makes 25-foot three point jumper (Quinton Perkins II assists)
- 2nd Half45-66Jadin Booth makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half45-67Jadin Booth makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half47-67Armani Mighty makes 2-foot dunk (Quinton Perkins II assists)
- 2nd Half47-69Judson Bjornstad makes layup
- 2nd Half48-69Braeden Carlsen makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-69Braeden Carlsen makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Samford Bulldogs, below favours Mercer Bears.
Venue
- Pete Hanna CenterHomewood, AL
- Attendance1521
- OfficialsJohn Dillon, Jason Creek, Jon Wall
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- Mercer Bears Edge Samford Bulldogs in ThrillerFeb 21, 2026