Bud Thomas hit 3-pointers on three consecutive possessions to give Mercer (24-8) a 16-8 advantage and the Bears never let the lead slip to fewer than five points the rest of the way.
White scored 20 second-half points to keep Jacksonville (12-18) at bay. Jacksonville closed to within 53-48 in the second half but White responded with a pair of free throws before Thomas' fifth 3 of the night extended the lead back to double digits at 58-48.
Thomas scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds while Jakob Gollon had 10 points. Langston Hall added 10 assists.
Vince Martin led Jacksonville with 17 points. Jarvis Haywood added 15 and Keith McDougald had 10.
Mercer will play third-seeded USC Upstate in the tournament semifinal on Thursday.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/3/271969