MACON, Ga. – Redshirt junior Joe Petrakis scored a career-high 20 points and graduate student Nicholas Robinson posted a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, but Mercer used a 14-4 run over the final four minutes of regulation to earn a 72-64 win over Western Carolina inside Hawkins Arena on Saturday.

Mercer improves to 12-8 overall and 5-2 in the Southern Conference while WCU falls to 8-12 and 2-5.

Petrakis posted the first 20-point game of his career, going 7-for-13 from the field, 5-for-10 behind the arc, and made one of two free throws. He surpassed his previous career-high of 17 points set last Saturday against Wofford. Robinson's double-double is his third of the season as he posted his 17^th double-digit offensive game of the year after being held to a season-low six points at Furman.
Robinson also dished out a team-best five assists. Junior Vonterius Woolbright, a native of nearby Albany, Ga., also finished in double figures with 11 points.

Jalen Johnson led four Bears in double figures with 18 points. Jordan Jones (16), Felipe Haase (13), and Kamar Robertson (10) each finished in double figures.

Both teams got off to a slow start offensively as a Petrakis 3-pointer tied the game at 11 just before the midpoint of the first half. A pair of Cam Bacote free throws gave the visitors a 15-11 edge at the 8:57 mark but Mercer tied the contest at 15 after a James Glisson III layup with 7:39 to play. Woolbright broke an 18-all tie with a layup with 5:52 left as the Catamounts took a 28-25 lead into halftime.

Petrakis kicked off the second half scoring with a 3-pointer but Mercer tied the game at 35 on a Jones layup with 16:30 to play. The Catamounts led 40-35 just under a minute later after a Woolbright bucket before the Bears went on a 17-3 run for a 52-43 advantage with 8:35 to go. Undeterred, the Catamounts charged back over the next four minutes and claimed a 60-58 lead after Petrakis drained a 3-pointer with 4:08 left. Mercer made one last charge, taking the lead for good with an 8-0 run as WCU got no closer than four points down the stretch.

Mercer finished the game 26-for-56 (46.4 percent) from the field, 9-for-26 (34.6 percent) behind the arc, and 11-for-13 (84.6 percent) at the free throw line. WCU was 22-for-52 (42.3 percent) from the field, 11-for-30 (36.7 percent) on 3-point attempts, and 9-for-15 (60 percent) at the free throw line. The Bears held a slim 33-32 edge in rebounds.

The Catamounts conclude a three-game road trip on Wednesday, heading to The Citadel for a 7 p.m. tip-off.

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