Macon, Ga. – Jalyn McCreary scored 28 points and Mercer outscored Furman by 15 points in the second half to claim a 78-69 victory over the Paladins on Wednesday night at Hawkins Arena in Macon, Ga.
 
The loss snapped Furman's 18-game winning streak against the Bears and dropped Furman to 12-12 overall and 6-5 in league play. Mercer improved to 11-13 overall and 4-7 in the Southern Conference.
 
Furman shot 50% from the field and converted on 11-of-13 trips to the foul line in the first half to carry a 40-34 advantage into the locker room, but Mercer outscored the Paladins 44-29 over the final 20 minutes to rally for the win. The Bears shot 56.7% from the floor in the second half and held Furman to just 34.6% after the break.
 
Mercer used a 13-1 run early in the second half to grab the lead before back-to-back baskets from Marcus Foster put Furman back on top. A 6-0 spurt put the Bears in front 60-55 and Mercer held the lead the rest of the way. 
 
McCreary went 13-of-21 from the field and 2-for-3 at the foul line to lead all scorers while grabbing a team-high eight rebounds. Caleb Hunter added 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting and the Bears finished at 51.6% from the field. A 35-32 rebounding edge and nine offensive boards helped Mercer to an 11-2 advantage in second chance points.
 
Foster, who scored a quick nine points to become the 51^st player in school history to surpass 1,000 career points, led the Paladins with 19 points and nine rebounds. Alex Williams went for 15 points while Tyrese Hughey scored 10.
 
Furman shot just 42.3% from the floor, including 6-for-22 from behind the arc. The Paladins kept the game close by connecting on 19-of-23 trips to the charity stripe.
 
ETSU hosts Furman on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Freedom Hall in Johnson City, Tenn. The game will air live on CBS Sports Network. The Paladins return home to entertain VMI on Wednesday, February 14, at 7 p.m.