Western Carolina Catamounts Edge Mercer Bears in Close Contest
Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Ramsey Center
Western Carolina Catamounts 78, Mercer Bears 74, 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 Western Carolina Catamounts?
Western Carolina Catamounts beat Mercer Bears 78-74 at Ramsey Center on February 25, 2026.
Who was favored in Mercer Bears vs Western Carolina Catamounts?
Mercer Bears were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -115 (about 53% implied). The underdog won.
In a thrilling matchup, the Western Carolina Catamounts triumphed over the Mercer Bears with a final score of 78-74. This victory marked an important win for the Catamounts, who have been on a strong run, winning their last four games leading up to this contest. The game took place at the Ramsey Center, where the Catamounts have shown a solid home record of 13-15 this season.
The Catamounts entered this game with a recent form of 6 wins and 4 losses over their last 10 games, boasting an impressive scoring average of 81.2 points while allowing 74.4 points per game. Their last five games showed them at 4-1, with an average of 81.2 points scored and 68.2 points allowed. Notably, they had a strong performance against VMI Keydets just days prior, winning decisively 81-62. Their home record in the last ten games stands at 3-1, indicating their effectiveness on their own court.
On the other hand, the Mercer Bears came into the game with an overall record of 18-12. They also had a record of 6-4 in their last ten games, with an average of 79.7 points scored and 76.0 points allowed. Their most recent game saw them narrowly defeat the Samford Bulldogs 89-86. Mercer’s away record in their last ten games was 1-3, which highlighted their struggles outside of their home venue.
In terms of head-to-head matchups, the Catamounts had faced the Bears four times in the past two seasons, with a record of 1-3 against them. Their last encounter earlier in the season resulted in a loss for Western Carolina, where they fell 76-88 at Mercer. This game was crucial for the Catamounts, not only for their standings but also to avenge their earlier defeat.
Injury reports showed no significant absences for either team, allowing both squads to field their best players. This contributed to a competitive atmosphere as both teams were at full strength.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Mercer as a slight favorite with a spread of 1.5 points, indicating a close contest was expected. The total points line was set at 156.5, reflecting the anticipated offensive capabilities of both teams.
Conditions during the game were favorable for basketball, with no adverse weather affecting the indoor venue. Fans witnessed a dynamic game filled with momentum shifts and critical scoring plays. The second half saw pivotal moments, including a crucial three-point jumper by Tidjiane Dioumassi that tied the game at 74, followed by a series of free throws that sealed the victory for the Catamounts.
Viewers should have kept an eye on the performance of key players such as Baraka Okojie and Tidjiane Dioumassi, who made significant contributions during the game's tense final moments. Okojie's free throws and Dioumassi's clutch shooting were instrumental in the Catamounts' success.
Overall, this matchup was not only a testament to the competitive spirit of both teams but also a showcase of Western Carolina's resilience as they continue their late-season push.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | MER -1.5 | 156.5 o -108 / u -112 | Mercer Bears -115 · Western Carolina Catamounts -105 |
Leaders
- PointsCord Stansberry21Western Carolina Catamounts
- AssistsCord Stansberry4Western Carolina Catamounts
- ReboundsAbdulai Fanta Kabba6Western Carolina Catamounts
- PointsBaraka Okojie22Mercer Bears
- AssistsZaire Williams2Mercer Bears
- ReboundsArmani Mighty14Mercer Bears
Recent form
Western Carolina Catamounts
Last 10: 6-4Streak W481.2 scored · 74.4 allowed per game3-1 at home
- W81-62at VMI KeydetsFeb 21
- W91-77vs UNC Greensboro SpartansFeb 19
- W81-76at Chattanooga MocsFeb 14
- W87-49vs The Citadel BulldogsFeb 11
- L66-77at Wofford TerriersFeb 7
- L78-81at UNC Greensboro SpartansFeb 4
- L74-88vs Samford BulldogsFeb 1
- W90-88at East Tennessee State BuccaneersJan 30
- W88-58vs VMI KeydetsJan 24
- L76-88at Mercer BearsJan 22
Mercer Bears
Last 10: 6-4Streak W179.7 scored · 76 allowed per game1-3 away
- W89-86vs Samford BulldogsFeb 21
- L90-94vs Chattanooga MocsFeb 20
- W70-54at The Citadel BulldogsFeb 14
- W69-64vs Furman PaladinsFeb 12
- L49-69at Samford BulldogsFeb 7
- 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
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 | Western Carolina Catamounts |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 28-55 | 24-53 |
| Field goal % | 51 | 45 |
| Three-pointers | 2-12 | 5-18 |
| Three-point % | 17 | 28 |
| Free throws | 16-22 | 25-27 |
| Free throw % | 73 | 93 |
| Rebounds | 28 | 31 |
| Offensive rebounds | 8 | 10 |
| Defensive rebounds | 20 | 21 |
| Assists | 4 | 6 |
| Steals | 6 | 6 |
| Blocks | 1 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 12 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 10 | 14 |
| Fast-break points | 9 | 4 |
| Points in the paint | 42 | 34 |
| Fouls | 17 | 17 |
| Largest lead | 6 | 8 |
| Lead changes | 12 | 12 |
| Time in front | 44 | 41 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half52-48Armani Mighty makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-48Bendji Pierre makes layup (Zaire Williams assists)
- 2nd Half54-50Marcus Kell makes driving layup
- 2nd Half56-50Zaire Williams makes 1-foot dunk
- 2nd Half56-51Cord Stansberry makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-52Cord Stansberry makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-52Baraka Okojie makes layup
- 2nd Half58-54Cord Stansberry makes 4-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half59-54Armani Mighty makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-54Armani Mighty makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-55Tidjiane Dioumassi makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-56Tidjiane Dioumassi makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-57Cord Stansberry makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-58Cord Stansberry makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-58Armani Mighty makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half62-59Tahlan Pettway makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-59Baraka Okojie makes 12-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half64-60Marcus Kell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half64-61Marcus Kell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-62Tidjiane Dioumassi makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half64-63Tidjiane Dioumassi makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-64Tidjiane Dioumassi makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half64-65Tidjiane Dioumassi makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-65Baraka Okojie makes 11-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half68-65Baraka Okojie makes 11-foot jumper
- 2nd Half69-65Quinton Perkins II makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half70-65Quinton Perkins II makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-66Tahlan Pettway makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half70-67Tahlan Pettway makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-68Cord Stansberry makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half70-69Cord Stansberry makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-69Baraka Okojie makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half72-69Baraka Okojie makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half72-71Tidjiane Dioumassi makes 17-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half73-71Baraka Okojie makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-71Baraka Okojie makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half74-74Tidjiane Dioumassi makes 28-foot three point jumper (Cord Stansberry assists)
- 2nd Half74-76Tidjiane Dioumassi makes 18-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half74-77Samuel Dada makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-78Samuel Dada makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Western Carolina Catamounts, below favours Mercer Bears.
Venue
- Ramsey CenterCullowhee, NC
- Attendance1970
- OfficialsJerry Heater, R.B. Clyburn, Chase Shaw
Elsewhere
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- 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