Mercer Falls Short 84-78 At Washington State

Saturday, December 20

Pullman, Wash.

5 p.m.

Mercer University

7-5,0-0SoCon

Washington State

5-8,0-0WCC

Mercer

Washington St.

12/20/2025 8:14:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Connor Serven scored a career high tying 15 points

PULLMAN, Wash. – Connor Serven tied his career high with 15 points and Barak Okojie led all scorers with 24 points, but Mercer fell 84-76 to Washington State Saturday evening from Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, Washington.

The Bears were down just two points at half, but Washington State used a 20-6 run to take a 14-point lead with 11 minutes to play in the game and from there the Cougars never lost the lead.

Mercer shot 32-for-75 (42.7%) from the field compared to Washington State who went 30-of-56 (53.6%). The Cougars also shot it well from three-point range going 11-for-23 (47.8%). Mercer outrebounded Washington State 40-37 including having a 15-5 edge in offensive rebounds.

Serven went 6-for-10 from the field on his way to 15 points with seven rebounds, and three assists. Okojie's 24 points were his second most in a game this season. Armani Mighty recorded his sixth double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

THE BASICS
SCORE: Washington State 84, Mercer 78
RECORDS: Washington State (5-8, 0-0 WCC), Mercer (7-5, 0-0 SoCon)
LOCATION: Pullman, WA (Beasley Coliseum)

HOW IT HAPPENED
1ST HALF
A layup from Okojie gave Mercer an early 9-8 lead. Tristan Gross made a three-pointer to give Mercer a 16-13 lead. Mercer extended its lead to five after Kyle Cuffe sank a baseline floater to put the Bears up 25-20.

After Washington State retook the lead at 32-29, Cuffe soon regained the lead for Mercer at 35-34 when Serven made a nice cross-court pass to Cuffe who made the corner three. Mercer would go into the half trailing by one bucket with the score 41-39.

2ND HALF
After Washington State scored the first five points to open the second half, Mercer quickly tied the game at 48 thanks to a tip-in from Mighty. Then, the Cougars used a 20-6 run that included four made three-pointer to take a 68-54 lead with 11:22 to play.

A jumper from Serven made it a 72-62 game with just under seven minutes to play. The next five minutes neither team could go on a scoring run as Washington State remained in front by a couple of possessions. Serven made a three-pointer with 1:18 to play to make it 78-72, Washington State. Over the final minute of the game Mercer was able to score on the offensive end, but Washington State was able to make enough free throws down the stretch to hold off the Bears and earn an 84-76 win.

NOTABLES
+ Mercer outrebounded Washington State 40-37 and had a 15-5 edge in offensive rebounds.
+ Mercer's 32 made field goals were the most its made against a Division I opponent in its last six games.
+ Connor Serven tied his career high with 15 points going 6-for-10 from the field.
+ Armani Mighty recorded his sixth double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
+ Baraka Okojie's 24 points were his second most points scored in a game this season.

UP NEXT
Mercer returns to the court following Christmas break when the Bears host Baptist University of Florida on Sunday, Dec. 28. Tip off is set for 2 p.m. inside Hawkins Arena.

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