MACON, Ga. (AP) -- Ross Alacqua scored a career-high 26 points to help Mercer beat Central Florida 80-71 Wednesday night.
Mercer 7-3 overall, 3-1 Atlantic Sun Conference) scored the last five points of the first half to take a 35-30 lead at intermission.
Central Florida (8-4, 1-3 Atlantic Sun) led 47-46 with just over 12 minutes to play when James Odoms hit a 3 to give Mercer the lead for good.
Joshua Peppers led the Golden Knights with 15 points and Gary Johnson scored 14.
Mercer's Will Emerson scored 16 points and grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.
Alacqua was 6-for-10 from 3-point range and 6-for-6 from the free throw line.
