Mercer Bears vs Western Carolina Catamounts NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/12/25
Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Bears versus the Catamounts? Tip off is at at 3:30 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Ramsey Center in Cullowhee, NC. Mercer is favored by -5.5 in this Southern conference showdown. The game’s over/under is currently at 151.5 points.
MERCER BEARS VS WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Western Carolina Catamounts +5.5
This game will be played at Ramsey Center at 3:30 ET on Sunday, January 12th.
WHY BET THE WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-70 in favor of the Catamounts.
- Not only will Western Carolina pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +5.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 151.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 147 points.
Will the Mercer Defense Show Up on the Road?
Mercer Bears Recent Game/Games
The Bears fell to 7-8 on the season after a 70-68 home loss to East Tennessee State on Wednesday. Mercer, who entered the game as +2.5 point underdogs, managed to cover the spread. The total points for the game ended at 138, falling short of the O/U line of 151.5.
Mercer trailed 40-32 at halftime but tightened up defensively in the 2nd half, allowing just 30 points while scoring 36 of their own. Despite the improved effort, they couldn’t complete the comeback.
Mercer’s offense put up 68 points in their last game, shooting 43.4% from the field and 38.9% from three-point range, with an effective field goal percentage of 49.1%. They struggled at the free-throw line, hitting just 57.7% of their attempts, and grabbed 10 offensive rebounds, dishing out 13 assists as a team.
Quimari Peterson led the way with 25 points and 5 assists, shooting 56.2% overall and 42.9% from deep. Jaden Seymour and Alex Holt both shot 60.0% from the field, with Seymour hitting 3 of 5 threes and Holt contributing 9 rebounds. Ahmad Robinson added 7 assists, despite shooting just 20.0% from the floor.
Despite Mercer’s defensive efforts, they gave up 70 points on 43% shooting from the field. The opposing team hit 16 of their 35 two-point attempts, shooting 45% inside the arc.
From three-point range, Mercer allowed 7 threes on 18 attempts, with the other team shooting 38%. They also sent the opposing team to the free-throw line 26 times, where they made 15 free throws, shooting 57%. Mercer gave up 10 offensive rebounds in the game.
Can the Catamounts Pull Off a Home Win?
Western Carolina dropped to 1-11 on the season after a 77-69 road loss to Wofford on Wednesday. The Catamounts were +12.5 point underdogs going into the game, so while the loss was another setback, they did manage to cover the spread.
Western Carolina trailed 48-37 at halftime but tightened up defensively in the second half, allowing just 29 points while scoring 32. The total points for the game ended at 146, just over the O/U line of 144.5.
Western Carolina struggled from the field in their last game, shooting just 35.9% overall and 25.6% from three-point range, hitting 10 of 39 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 43.8%, but they were solid at the free-throw line, making 13 of 15 attempts for 86.7%.
Bernard Pelote led the way with 27 points and 8 rebounds, shooting 52.4% from the field. Kyler Filewich contributed 16 points and 18 rebounds, shooting 66.7% overall. Justin Bailey hit 4 of 5 threes, finishing with 14 points and 5 assists.
Western Carolina’s defense gave up 77 points, with their opponents shooting 44% from the field. Inside the arc, they allowed 48% shooting, with the other team hitting 18 of 37 two-point attempts.
From three-point range, Western Carolina’s opponents made 10 of 26 shots, good for 38%. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 18 times, where they converted 11 free throws, shooting 61%.