ATHENS, Ga. -- Charles Mann scored 22 points as Georgia held off in-state foe Mercer 86-77 in triple overtime on Saturday.
The Bulldogs (7-3) got 17 points apiece from Marcus Thornton and Nemanja Djurisic. Thornton had 11 rebounds before fouling out in the third overtime. Kenny Gaines added 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Jordan Strawberry led Mercer (6-7) with a career-high 21 points. His 3-point jumper from the corner at the end of regulation forced overtime. But he could not find the magic at the end of the first overtime, missing to win with seven seconds to play.
Tied 72-72 after two extra periods, Georgia bolted out to a quick 78-72 lead in the third overtime, with Gaines converting a three-point play and Mann a 3-point basket. Mercer managed only two field goals, both by Strawberry, after the Bulldogs were up by nine with less than 49 seconds to play.