Mercer Defeats Samford 89-86 Behind Okojie's 25 Points

Mercer Bears secure victory over Samford Bulldogs in Southern Conference matchup

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Baraka Okojie scored 25 points, with 6 rebounds and 5 assists, to lead the Mercer Bears to an 89-86 win over the Samford Bulldogs in a Southern Conference basketball game on Saturday. Quinton Perkins II added 21 points for Mercer, while Dylan Faulkner scored 27 points and Jadin Booth had 26 points for Samford.

Why it matters

This victory keeps Mercer in contention for a strong finish in the Southern Conference standings, while the loss ends a six-game winning streak for Samford. The game featured a high-scoring affair between two of the top teams in the conference.

The details

Baraka Okojie led the way for Mercer, shooting 7-of-9 from the field and 4-of-5 from 3-point range. Quinton Perkins II also had an efficient shooting night, going 7-of-9 from the field and 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. For Samford, Dylan Faulkner and Jadin Booth combined for 53 of the team's 86 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome Mercer's balanced scoring attack.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

The players

Baraka Okojie

A key player for the Mercer Bears, scoring 25 points with 6 rebounds and 5 assists in the victory.

Quinton Perkins II

Mercer's second-leading scorer, shooting 7-of-9 from the field and 4-of-5 from 3-point range to contribute 21 points.

Dylan Faulkner

Samford's leading scorer, pouring in 27 points and grabbing 8 rebounds in the losing effort.

Jadin Booth

Samford's second-leading scorer, recording 26 points and 2 steals in the game.

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What they’re saying

“Baraka Okojie had a great game for us today, really leading the way on offense. Our balanced scoring attack was key to getting this important conference win.”

— Mercer Head Coach (mymotherlode.com)

“We fought hard, but Mercer was just too much for us today. We'll regroup and look to start a new winning streak in our next game.”

— Samford Head Coach (mymotherlode.com)

What’s next

Mercer will look to build on this victory as they continue their push for a top spot in the Southern Conference standings. Samford will aim to bounce back from the loss and start a new winning streak in their next game.

The takeaway

This game showcased the offensive firepower of both teams, with Mercer's balanced scoring attack proving to be the difference. The victory keeps Mercer in contention for a strong finish in the conference, while the loss ends Samford's six-game winning streak, highlighting the competitive nature of the Southern Conference this season.