BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. (AP) -- T.J. McCullough had a double-double with 15 points and 11 assists to lead Gardner-Webb to an 81-72 win over Mercer in an Atlantic Sun Conference matchup on Saturday.
The win puts the Bulldogs (12-9, 9-5) in first place in what's been a three-way tie with Mercer and Belmont.
McCullough added seven rebounds and six steals while Brian Bender added 17 points, making all six of his free throws.
Mercer (12-8, 8-6) led 44-40 at the break and stayed in front for the first eight minutes of the second half.
The Bulldogs came back with a layup from McCullough and a basket from Simon Conn to tie it at 53-53 with 10:12 left. Tim Jennings put Gardner-Webb ahead, 55-53, with 9:48 to play.
James Odoms answered with a long 3-pointer, a free throw and a layup off an inbounds play on three consecutive possessions to give the Bears a 59-55 edge with 8:35 left.
Bender drove for a layup to cut the lead to 63-62 at the 5:13 mark. Conn scored with 4:28 to play to give Gardner-Webb the lead for good, and took another assist from McCullough for a layup with 3:47 to play to push the lead to 66-63.
Will Emerson cut the lead to one, 66-65, with a layup at the 3:16 mark, but Mercer would get no closer.
