Nwamu leads Mercer over Samford 80-56

MACON, Ga. (AP) Ike Nwamu scored 17 of his 22 points in the first half when Mercer built a double-figure lead it wouldn't surrender in an 80-56 victory over Samford on Saturday.

Nwamu made all three of his 3-pointers in the first half when the Bears took a 40-26 lead. Both teams shot 44 percent in the half but Mercer made 13 of 16 free throws to 1 of 4 for Samford.

Christen Cunningham's 3-pointer with 16:41 left in the game cut Samford's deficit to 11, but that was as close the Bulldogs would get as Mercer's lead would grow to as many as 29 points.

Jibri Bryan added 18 points and Darious Moten 11 for Mercer (11-9, 6-1 Big South), which has won five of its last six games, including the last three.

Marcus Johnson scored 11 points and Cunningham 10 for Samford (7-14, 0-8), which has lost six straight games.