Mercer beats Western Carolina 59-46 in SoCon shootout

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MACON, Ga. (AP) — Kaelan Riley threw for three touchdowns and Mercer beat Western Carolina 59-46 on Saturday night.

Riley had 294 yards passing for the Bears (4-3, 3-1 Southern Conference). Tee Mitchell ran for 157 yards and a touchdown and had 61 yards and a score receiving.

After falling behind 14-0 early, the Bears rallied midway through the second quarter starting with Tyray Devezin's 18-yard touchdown run with 8:57 left in the half. Riley hit Sam Walker with a 49-yard scoring pass and followed on the next Bears' drive with a 40-yard strike to David Durden to even the score 21-21. Later, after a Western Carolina field goal, Durden took the kickoff 95 yards for another Bears score. They led 28-27 at halftime.

Mitchell ran for a touchdown early in the third quarter and Cole Fisher kicked a 37-yard field goal to make it 38-27 with 7:47 left in the third.

Tyrie Adams threw for 360 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 185 yards and two more scores for the Catamounts (3-4, 1-4).