Cullowhee, N.C. - The Western Carolina men's basketball team shoots for its third straight Southern Conference win on Saturday as the Catamounts welcome Mercer to Ingles Court at the Ramsey Center for a 4 p.m. tip-off.

Saturday's game will be streamed on ESPN+ (paid subscription required) with live Catamount Sports Network audio coverage beginning at 3:30 p.m. Free live stats will be available via a link on CatamountSports.com.
 
As a reminder, WCU Athletics continues to adhere to a clear bag policy for all home men's and women's basketball games in the Ramsey Center. Only standard clear bags, 12-inches by 6-inches by 12-inches in size, small purses approximately 4.5-inches by 5-inches not including the strap, and clear gallon-size storage bags are permitted. Diaper bags (child must be present upon entry) and any medical-related bags will be allowed.

WCU is 9-7 overall and 2-1 in SoCon play following a 71-60 road win against ETSU on Wednesday. Russell Jones Jr. led four players in double figures with a career-best 21 points. Tied at 38 at halftime, the Catamounts grabbed the lead with a pair of Vonterius Woolbright free throws early in the second half and led the rest of the way to snap a 15-game road losing skid against the Buccaneers. It was WCU's second-straight streak-snapping victory as WCU halted a 13-game series slide against Furman last Saturday in Cullowhee.

Mercer is 7-9 overall and 0-3 in league games after dropping a 53-52 home decision to Wofford on Wednesday. The Terriers scored the game-winning basket with 0.7 seconds remaining in the game. Jalyn McCreary led the Bears with 16 points with Luis Hurtado Jr. and Shawn Walker Jr. both contributing nine points. McCreary is the team's leading scorer with 15.9 points per game and the top rebounder at 5.8 rebounds per game.

Saturday's game is the 16^th all-time meeting between the schools with Mercer holding a slim 13-12 lead. The teams split the regular season matchups last season with each protecting its home court. Mercer ended WCU's season with a victory in the first round of the conference tournament.

WCU heads to Chattanooga on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. tip-off inside McKenzie Arena. 

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