NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - Wil Howard-Downs and Jese Snyder scored 16 points each as Belmont beat Mercer 87-65 Monday night. <br>
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Howard-Downs, Snyder and Steve Drabyn combined to hit 14-of-17 3-pointers as the Bruins shot 45 percent from 3-point range and 53 percent from the field. <br>
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Belmont (6-7, 3-3 Atlantic Sun) went on a 15-0 run in the first half to open up a 34-16 lead with 6:38 left on a 3-pointer by Howard-Downs. <br>
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After a 13-point halftime deficit, Mercer (3-11, 1-4) cut the lead to seven at 51-44 with 15:38 left on a layup by Justin Howard. <br>
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Belmont responded by scoring 17 of the next 21 points over a six-minute span, capped with a fastbreak layup by Snyder. <br>
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Belmont, which snapped a three-game losing streak, has hit 29 3-pointers in the last two games. <br>
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Howard led Mercer with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Aleem Muhammad added 14 for the Bears. <br>
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Adam Sonn scored 14 points and Drabyn finished with 15 - all on 3s - for the Bruins.
