MACON, Ga. (AP) — Bud Thomas scored 20 points and Langston Hall added 18 as Mercer defeated South Carolina Upstate 72-64 Friday in the semifinals of the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament.
Travis Smith went 4-of-4 shooting from both the foul line and beyond the arc to finish with 16 points for Mercer (23-10).
Mercer will play in the A-Sun Finals on Saturday afternoon.
Tied 57-all, the Bears used a 6-0 run to separate from the Spartans. Thomas hit a jumper and Daniel Coursey converted two baskets during the stretch to put Mercer ahead 63-57 with 1:39 remaining.
Adrian Rodgers made two free throws with 1:25 left to cut SC Upstate’s deficit to 63-59, but Mercer made seven free throws in the final 45 seconds to seal the victory.
