Recap: Mercer vs. USC Upstate

Macon, GA (Sports Network) - Bud Thomas netted 20 points as the top-seeded Mercer Bears outlasted the fifth-seeded USC Upstate Spartans, 72-64, in the semifinal round of the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament.

Langston Hall tallied 18 points and six assists for Mercer (23-10), which has won three in a row and 11 of 12. Travis Smith chipped in 16 points on 4-of-4 from 3-point range.

For USC Upstate (16-17), Torrey Craig scored 20 points, Ty Greene poured in 14 points, Adrian Rodgers had 11 points and Ricardo Glenn hauled in 10 rebounds.

Mercer will play Florida Gulf Coast in Saturday's championship game.