Tennessee Volunteers Defeat Mercer Bears 76-61
Monday, November 3, 2025, 7:00 PM ET · Food City Center
Tennessee Volunteers 76, Mercer Bears 61, 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 Tennessee Volunteers?
Tennessee Volunteers beat Mercer Bears 76-61 at Food City Center on November 3, 2025.
The Tennessee Volunteers secured a convincing victory over the Mercer Bears, finishing the game with a score of 76 to 61. This matchup, held at the Food City Center, showcased Tennessee's strong home performance, improving their record to 1-0 for the season, while Mercer fell to 0-1.
Tennessee has had a solid recent form, with a record of 7-3 in their last ten games. Despite suffering a loss in their most recent outing against the Florida Gators, where they lost 77-86, the Volunteers have demonstrated their scoring ability, averaging 74.7 points per game while allowing 72.1. Their home record stands at an impressive 4-0, indicating their dominance at home.
In contrast, Mercer has struggled recently, with a record of 3-7 over their last ten games. They are currently on a one-game losing streak, having lost to the Chattanooga Mocs 61-76 in their last match. The Bears have averaged 67.8 points scored and 75.3 points allowed per game, reflecting their difficulties on both ends of the court. Their away record is particularly concerning, standing at 1-4.
The game featured several key scoring plays that defined the second half. Notably, Felix Okpara made a significant three-point jumper, assisted by Amari Evans, which brought the score to 76-58. The Volunteers maintained control throughout the game, with consistent scoring from various players.
In terms of previous meetings, the block does not provide specific historical context between these two teams, but the current season's dynamics suggest a clear advantage for Tennessee, particularly given their home performance.
Injuries were not detailed in the block, so it remains unclear if either team was affected by player absences. However, the condition of the teams heading into the game seemed stable based on the available records.
Betting lines indicated that Tennessee was heavily favored to win, with a final home win probability of 1.0, reflecting the market's confidence in their ability to secure the victory.
As the game unfolded, viewers were treated to a display of offensive execution from the Volunteers, while the Bears struggled to keep pace. The conditions at the Food City Center appeared conducive to a strong performance from the home side, further enhancing their chances of victory. Overall, the game highlighted Tennessee's strengths while exposing Mercer's vulnerabilities, setting the stage for both teams as they move forward in the season.
Leaders
- PointsNate Ament18Tennessee Volunteers
- AssistsJa'Kobi Gillespie6Tennessee Volunteers
- ReboundsJaylen Carey10Tennessee Volunteers
- PointsBaraka Okojie15Mercer Bears
- AssistsQuinton Perkins II3Mercer Bears
- ReboundsBrady Shoulders9Mercer Bears
Recent form
Tennessee Volunteers
Last 10: 7-3Streak L174.7 scored · 72.1 allowed per game4-0 at home
- L77-86at Florida GatorsMar 16
- W70-65at Auburn TigersMar 15
- W83-72vs Texas LonghornsMar 14
- W75-65vs South Carolina GamecocksMar 8
- L76-78at Ole Miss RebelsMar 6
- W79-76vs Alabama Crimson TideMar 1
- W65-59at LSU TigersFeb 26
- W77-69at Texas A&M AggiesFeb 22
- W81-76vs Vanderbilt CommodoresFeb 15
- L64-75at Kentucky WildcatsFeb 12
Mercer Bears
Last 10: 3-7Streak L167.8 scored · 75.3 allowed per game1-4 away
- L61-76at Chattanooga MocsMar 8
- W67-66vs Western Carolina CatamountsMar 7
- W81-69vs Western Carolina CatamountsMar 1
- L58-59at East Tennessee State BuccaneersFeb 26
- L61-78vs UNC Greensboro SpartansFeb 22
- W62-52at The Citadel BulldogsFeb 20
- L71-80vs VMI KeydetsFeb 15
- L72-96at Furman PaladinsFeb 13
- L66-77vs Wofford TerriersFeb 8
- L79-100at Samford BulldogsFeb 6
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 |
| Florida | 27-8 | - | 16-2 |
| Arkansas | 28-9 | 3 | 13-5 |
| Alabama | 25-10 | 3 | 13-5 |
| Vanderbilt | 27-9 | 5 | 11-7 |
| Tennessee | 25-12 | 5 | 11-7 |
| Texas A&M | 22-12 | 5 | 11-7 |
| Georgia | 22-11 | 6 | 10-8 |
| Kentucky | 22-14 | 6 | 10-8 |
| Missouri | 20-13 | 6 | 10-8 |
| Texas | 21-15 | 7 | 9-9 |
| Auburn | 22-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Oklahoma | 21-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Mississippi State | 13-19 | 11 | 5-13 |
| Ole Miss | 15-20 | 12 | 4-14 |
| South Carolina | 13-19 | 12 | 4-14 |
| LSU | 15-17 | 13 | 3-15 |
Box score
| Stat | Mercer Bears | Tennessee Volunteers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 20-67 | 30-61 |
| Field goal % | 30 | 49 |
| Three-pointers | 6-29 | 7-17 |
| Three-point % | 21 | 41 |
| Free throws | 15-21 | 9-15 |
| Free throw % | 71 | 60 |
| Rebounds | 32 | 54 |
| Offensive rebounds | 13 | 16 |
| Defensive rebounds | 19 | 38 |
| Assists | 7 | 19 |
| Steals | 15 | 2 |
| Blocks | 4 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 5 | 19 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 16 | 8 |
| Fast-break points | 5 | 7 |
| Points in the paint | 22 | 44 |
| Fouls | 20 | 18 |
| Largest lead | 4 | 23 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half25-39Ja'Kobi Gillespie made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Ethan Burg.
- 2nd Half26-39Brady Shoulders made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half27-39Brady Shoulders made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half27-42Troy Henderson made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Jaylen Carey.
- 2nd Half27-44J.P. Estrella made Two Point Tip Shot.
- 2nd Half27-46Cade Phillips made Jumper. Assisted by Ja'Kobi Gillespie.
- 2nd Half30-46Baraka Okojie made Three Point Jumper.
- 2nd Half30-49Bishop Boswell made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Ja'Kobi Gillespie.
- 2nd Half30-52Troy Henderson made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Ja'Kobi Gillespie.
- 2nd Half32-52Tristan Gross made Jumper. Assisted by Baraka Okojie.
- 2nd Half32-54DeWayne Brown II made Jumper.
- 2nd Half32-55Nate Ament made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half35-55Zaire Williams made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Quinton Perkins II.
- 2nd Half35-58Nate Ament made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Ethan Burg.
- 2nd Half37-58Armani Mighty made Layup.
- 2nd Half37-59Nate Ament made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half39-59Armani Mighty made Jumper.
- 2nd Half39-60Jaylen Carey made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half40-60Baraka Okojie made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half41-60Baraka Okojie made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half42-60Baraka Okojie made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half43-60Baraka Okojie made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half46-60Zaire Williams made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Quinton Perkins II.
- 2nd Half46-62J.P. Estrella made Two Point Tip Shot.
- 2nd Half49-62Quinton Perkins II made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Baraka Okojie.
- 2nd Half49-63Nate Ament made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half49-64Nate Ament made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half51-64Armani Mighty made Layup.
- 2nd Half51-65Bishop Boswell made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half51-66Bishop Boswell made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half51-68Felix Okpara made Dunk. Assisted by Ja'Kobi Gillespie.
- 2nd Half51-70Nate Ament made Jumper.
- 2nd Half53-70Armani Mighty made Layup.
- 2nd Half55-70Baraka Okojie made Layup.
- 2nd Half55-72Nate Ament made Layup.
- 2nd Half55-73Nate Ament made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half57-73Armani Mighty made Two Point Tip Shot.
- 2nd Half58-73Brady Shoulders made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half58-76Felix Okpara made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Amari Evans.
- 2nd Half61-76Braeden Carlsen made Three Point Jumper.
Win probability
Above the line favours Tennessee Volunteers, below favours Mercer Bears.
Venue
- Food City CenterKnoxville, TN
- Attendance18559
- OfficialsPat Adams, Jason Barker, R.B. Clyburn
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond