NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - Brian Collins scored 17 points and the go-ahead basket as Belmont beat Mercer 74-73 in the Atlantic Sun Conference matchup Saturday.<br>
<br>
Collins was fouled shooting a 3-pointer with three seconds to play and hit one-of-two from the line to put the Bruins (4-8, 3-1) ahead at the buzzer.<br>
<br>
A Collins tip-in put Belmont up 69-67 with 2:22 on the clock, and Snyder followed with a layup at 1:41 to go up 71-67.<br>
<br>
Mercer (7-4, 3-2) responded with a set of three free-throws pull make it 71-70 with 1:23 left, but a layup by Collins with 53 seconds put the Bruins ahead 73-71.<br>
<br>
Jacob Skogan hit a 3-pointer for Mercer with 34 seconds, but Collins sealed the game for Belmont at the foul line.<br>
<br>
Mercer's top scorer, James Odom with 25, went cold in the second half with no baskets and only one attempt after the 11:57 mark. Wesley Duke scored 16 and Will Emerson 12 for the Bears.<br>
<br>
Justin Hare had 15 points for Belmont. Andrew Preston added 12.
