Mighty Posts 18 Points And 25 Rebounds To Lead Mercer To 77-67 Win Over VMI

Thursday, January 15

Lexington, Va.

6 p.m.

Mercer University

11-7,3-2SoCon

VMI

6-12,1-4SoCon

Mercer

VMI

Mighty Posts 18 Points And 25 Rebounds To Lead Mercer To 77-67 Win Over VMI

1/15/2026 9:37:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Mighty's 25 rebounds are the second most in program history and most ever in VMI's Cameron Hall

LEXINGTON, Va. – Armani Mighty turned in a monster double-double with 18 points and 25 rebounds to lead Mercer to a 77-67 win at VMI Thursday night from Cameron Hall in Lexington, Virginia.

Mighty's career high 25 rebounds were the highlight of his ninth double-double of the season. It was the second most rebounds by a Mercer player in program history ( 28 - Lamar Clements in 1950 vs Florida State) and the most rebounds by any player in the history of Cameron Hall. The record for most rebounds by a player inside Cameron Hall was also previously held by a Bear; Calvin Henry held the previous arena record when he grabbed 22 rebounds vs. VMI on Dec. 9, 2006.

The 77 points scored by the Bears was the second fewest scored in a win this season. In two of Mercer's three conference wins, the Bears have held their opponent below 70 points.

Mercer shot 28-for-63 (44.4%) from the field and struggled from three-point range going just 3-for-21 (14.3%). It was the fewest made three-pointers in a game this season for the Bears, but Mercer made up for it on its two-point shots (59.5%) and from the foul line going 18-for-24 (75.%).

VMI made 14 three-pointers, its second most in a game this season, but the Keydets didn't fair as well as the Bears inside the three-point line where they went just 9-for-27 (33.3%).

Mercer dominated the paint as points in the paint were 50-18, Bears. Mercer also had 22 offensive rebounds to 11 for VMI and second chance points were 23-5, Mercer.

Mighty was an efficient 8-for-10 from the field and had 11 offensive rebounds. Brady Shoulders also turned in one of his best offensive performances of his career, finishing with 20 points (one point shy of career high) and six rebounds.

THE BASICS
SCORE: Mercer 77, VMI 67
RECORDS: Mercer (11-7, 3-2 SoCon), VMI (6-12, 1-4 SoCon)
LOCATION: Lexington, Va. (Cameron Hall)

HOW IT HAPPENED
1ST HALF
Mercer got out to a fast start as a short jump shot from Mighty gave the Bears an early 10-2 lead. VMI made it a one-point game shortly after before a layup from Connor Serven put Mercer up 16-13.

A layup from Okojie made it a 27-20 lead for the Bears. Mercer led 33-30 with six minutes to play in the first half. Then, both offenses went cold thanks to some improved defense as well from both teams as each team scored just three points in the final six minutes of the half and Mercer took a 36-33 lead into the half.

2ND HALF
VMI got out to a better start than they did in the first half and went on a 12-6 run to take its largest lead of the game a 45-42. A nice pass from Okojie led to a layup from Serven to tie the game at 49 with just under 10 minutes to play.

With the game tied at 58 with five minutes to go, Mercer went on a 6-0 run capped by a thunderous dunk from Mighty to take a 64-58 lead with four minutes to play. An and-one from Shoulders put Mercer in front 67-60 with 3:10 to play. VMI would never get any closer than that as Mercer would close out the game at the foul line and with a few defensive stops to earn the win.

NOTABLES
+ Mercer has now won four straight games in Lexington, Virginia.
+ Mighty's 25 rebounds were a career high, the second most rebounds in program history, and the most rebounds by any player in the history of VMI's Cameron Hall.
+ Mighty's double-double was his ninth of the season.
+ Mercer's 77 points were the second fewest the Bears have scored in a win this season.
+ Brady Shoulders scored 20 points, one shy of his career high set earlier this season at ETSU.
+ Baraka Okojie had a game high seven assists.
+ Mercer outrebounded VMI, 50-26.
+ Second chance points were 23-5, Mercer

UP NEXT
Mercer will stay on the road and visit UNCG on Saturday. Tip off is scheduled for 4 p.m. inside First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina.

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