Mercer Hosts Samford After Williams' 27-Point Game

The Bears look to bounce back after a close loss to Chattanooga.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Mercer University's men's basketball team will host the Samford Bulldogs on Saturday, following a 94-90 loss to the Chattanooga Mocs in which Mercer's Zaire Williams scored 27 points. This will be the second meeting of the season between Mercer and Samford, with the Bulldogs winning the previous matchup 69-49.

Why it matters

Mercer is looking to rebound from a close loss to Chattanooga, a fellow Southern Conference opponent. A win against Samford could help the Bears improve their conference standing and momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.

The details

In the loss to Chattanooga, Mercer's Zaire Williams had a standout performance, scoring 27 points. However, it was not enough to overcome the Mocs. Now, Mercer will host Samford, whom they lost to earlier in the season. The Bears will be looking to even the season series and get back on track with a win at home.

  • Mercer lost to Chattanooga 94-90 on February 18, 2026.
  • Mercer will host Samford on February 22, 2026.

The players

Zaire Williams

A Mercer basketball player who scored 27 points in the team's recent loss to Chattanooga.

Samford Bulldogs

Mercer's opponent on February 22, 2026. Samford previously defeated Mercer 69-49 earlier this season.

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What’s next

The outcome of the Mercer-Samford game on February 22nd will be crucial for Mercer's conference standing and postseason hopes.

The takeaway

Mercer will look to bounce back from a close loss to Chattanooga by hosting Samford, a team they previously lost to earlier in the season. A win against Samford could help the Bears regain momentum and improve their position in the Southern Conference standings.