NCAAB · Final

Mercer Bears Edge Samford Bulldogs in Thriller

Saturday, February 21, 2026, 2:00 PM ET · Hawkins Arena

Mercer Bears 89, Samford Bulldogs 86, 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 Samford Bulldogs vs Mercer Bears?

Mercer Bears beat Samford Bulldogs 89-86 at Hawkins Arena on February 21, 2026.

Who was favored in Samford Bulldogs vs Mercer Bears?

Mercer Bears were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -185 (about 65% implied). The favorite won.

In a thrilling matchup, the Mercer Bears narrowly defeated the Samford Bulldogs with a final score of 89-86 at Hawkins Arena. This game was particularly noteworthy as it marked the first victory for Mercer against Samford in their last four meetings, breaking a streak of three consecutive losses to the Bulldogs. The Bears improved their overall record to 19-11, while Samford fell to 16-14.

Mercer entered the game with a home record of 18-11 and had been struggling recently, holding a 6-4 record over their last ten games, but they were looking to bounce back after a loss to the Chattanooga Mocs just a day prior. In that game, Mercer lost 90-94, showcasing their offensive capabilities with an average of 81.0 points scored over their last ten games, although they also allowed an average of 76.6 points. Their recent form included two wins and three losses in their last five games, with an average of 70.6 points scored and 72.0 points allowed.

On the other hand, Samford was riding a six-game winning streak and had a record of 7-3 in their last ten games, with an impressive scoring average of 79.3 points while allowing 72.0 points. They had recently defeated The Citadel Bulldogs 78-75 and had shown strong offensive performances, averaging 80.8 points and allowing only 68.0 points in their last five games. Samford's away record was 3-2, indicating their ability to perform well outside their home venue.

The two teams had faced each other earlier in the season on February 7, 2026, where Samford won decisively 69-49. In their previous encounters, Mercer had struggled against Samford, with losses recorded in the 2025 season as well, including a 79-100 defeat on February 6, 2025, and a narrow 74-75 loss on January 16, 2025. This history added an extra layer of intensity to the matchup, as Mercer sought to turn the tide.

In terms of injuries, the block did not provide any specific details affecting either team, suggesting that both squads were at full strength for this crucial game. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Mercer favored by 3.5 points, with a total set at 156.5. The odds indicated a competitive matchup, reflecting the close nature of the teams' performances leading up to this game.

The conditions at Hawkins Arena were conducive to an exciting game of basketball, and the atmosphere was electric as fans filled the venue to support their teams. As the game progressed, it became a back-and-forth affair, with both teams exchanging leads and showcasing their offensive prowess.

In the final moments, Mercer managed to pull ahead, with key free throws from Baraka Okojie sealing the victory. The Bears' late-game execution proved crucial, as they capitalized on their opportunities at the charity stripe. Samford fought valiantly, but their efforts fell just short as they were unable to convert in the closing seconds.

Overall, this match not only highlighted Mercer's resilience in overcoming their previous struggles against Samford but also showcased the competitive nature of NCAAB basketball, where every game can shift the balance of momentum in the league.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	MER -3.5	156.5 o -112 / u -108	Samford Bulldogs +154 · Mercer Bears -185

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

Leaders

PointsBaraka Okojie25Mercer Bears
AssistsBaraka Okojie5Mercer Bears
ReboundsArmani Mighty13Mercer Bears
PointsDylan Faulkner27Samford Bulldogs
AssistsKeaton Norris4Samford Bulldogs
ReboundsDylan Faulkner8Samford Bulldogs

Recent form

Mercer Bears

Last 10: 6-4Streak L181 scored · 76.6 allowed per game4-1 at home

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
W102-92at UNC Greensboro SpartansJan 17

Samford Bulldogs

Last 10: 7-3Streak W679.3 scored · 72 allowed per game3-2 away

W78-75at The Citadel BulldogsFeb 20
W82-72at East Tennessee State BuccaneersFeb 14
W97-80vs Wofford TerriersFeb 12
W69-49vs Mercer BearsFeb 7
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

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	Samford Bulldogs	Mercer Bears
Field goals	30-64	32-50
Field goal %	47	64
Three-pointers	6-16	7-17
Three-point %	38	41
Free throws	20-23	18-25
Free throw %	87	72
Rebounds	28	32
Offensive rebounds	10	5
Defensive rebounds	18	27
Assists	12	16
Steals	7	4
Blocks	0	5
Turnovers	6	13
Team turnovers	0	1
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	18	10
Fast-break points	6	14
Points in the paint	36	42
Fouls	22	20
Largest lead	4	7
Lead changes	17	17
Time in front	19	70

How the scoring went

2nd Half58-61Cade Norris makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half61-61Jadin Booth makes 25-foot three point jumper (Will Shaver assists)
2nd Half62-61Jadin Booth makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half62-63Baraka Okojie makes layup
2nd Half64-63Dylan Faulkner makes 8-foot jumper
2nd Half64-65Quinton Perkins II makes 19-foot jumper (Zaire Williams assists)
2nd Half66-65Dylan Faulkner makes layup (Keaton Norris assists)
2nd Half67-65Dylan Faulkner makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half67-68Zaire Williams makes 25-foot three point jumper (Armani Mighty assists)
2nd Half68-68Keaton Norris makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half69-68Keaton Norris makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half69-69Baraka Okojie makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half69-70Baraka Okojie makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half70-70Dylan Faulkner makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half70-71Baraka Okojie makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half70-72Baraka Okojie makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half72-72Dylan Faulkner makes layup
2nd Half72-74Baraka Okojie makes layup
2nd Half72-75Quinton Perkins II makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half72-76Quinton Perkins II makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half74-76Isaiah Campbell-Finch makes layup (Keaton Norris assists)
2nd Half74-77Zaire Williams makes free throw 1 of 3
2nd Half74-78Zaire Williams makes free throw 2 of 3
2nd Half74-79Zaire Williams makes free throw 3 of 3
2nd Half76-79Zion Wilburn makes layup (Dylan Faulkner assists)
2nd Half78-79Dylan Faulkner makes layup
2nd Half78-80Baraka Okojie makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half78-81Baraka Okojie makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half79-81Keaton Norris makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half80-81Keaton Norris makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half80-83Connor Serven makes layup (Armani Mighty assists)
2nd Half81-83Jadin Booth makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half82-83Jadin Booth makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half82-85Armani Mighty makes layup (Connor Serven assists)
2nd Half84-85Jadin Booth makes 22-foot jumper
2nd Half84-86Baraka Okojie makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half84-87Baraka Okojie makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half84-88Baraka Okojie makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half84-89Baraka Okojie makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half86-89Dylan Faulkner makes 0-foot tip in layup