RALEIGH -- Tyler Mercer scored a career-high 26 points to lead William Peace over Averett, 86-75, on Tuesday night. Five Pacers scored in double figures to get the team to 10-3 on the year and 3-1 in the USA South.

The Pacers and Cougars kept the game tight all the way through the first quarter with the Pacers just slightly leading at 16-14 at the end of one. The trend continued into the second quarter with Averett taking the lead for a short while. With 4:26 left to go in the first half, the game was tied at 26. The Pacers went on a 14-4 run over the final minutes to go up 40-30 heading into the half. 10 of the Pacers 14 points in that stretch came from Mercer.

The pesky Cougars wouldn't go away and started to claw back into the game in the third quarter coming within one at 49-48. The Pacers would stretch the lead out to seven, 59-52, before heading into the final frame.

William Peace continued to grow the lead with timely shots from Mercer and, Tenae McKenzie, Whitney Walker and Nadine Ealey. William Peace closed out the win by sinking free throws in the final minute.

THE BIG PICTURE
William Peace moves to 10-3 on the year and 3-1 in the USA South, holding the second place position in the East. The Pacers have already won more games this year than the team had last year. The Pacers have shown a lot of growth and potential under first-year coach Brandy Smith.

UP NEXT
William Peace will host Methodist University on Saturday at 4 p.m. following the men's game at 2 p.m.