Aldridge has 23 points, Davidson holds off Mercer 77-71

DAVIDSON, N.C. (AP) Peyton Aldridge hit 7 of 10 field goal attempts and was good on all six free throws to total 23 points as Davidson held off Mercer for a 77-71 victory on Monday night.

Jordan Barham had 19 points and 11 rebounds, Oskar Michelsen was 5 of 11 from long range for 17 points and Brian Sullivan chipped in 12.

Davidson (3-0), which has won 23 of its last 24 home games dating back to the 2013-14 season, started slow but took a 36-31 lead into the break. The Wildcats were up 64-51 with 5:05 left but Mercer (3-1) charged back late when Jordan Strawberry nailed a 3-point jumper to close to 69-67 with 1:03 left. Nathan Ekwu answered with a layup and Sullivan and Aldridge made six free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

Stephon Jelks led Mercer with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Jestin Lewis added 10.