KENNESAW, Ga. -- Stephon Jelks had a career-high 21 points with 12 rebounds, and Jestin Lewis scored 13, including a layup with seven seconds left, to help Mercer hold off Kennesaw State for a 76-73 win Wednesday.

Demetre Rivers added 11 points and Phillip Leonard had seven assists for Mercer (10-3).

The Bears led by 14 twice in the second half and a 3-pointer by Jelks put them up 64-51 with 8:59 to play.

Mercer, however, went six-plus minutes without a field goal and Kendrick Ray scored 13 points in the final 6:03 as Kennesaw State (3-12) trimmed its deficit to 74-73 with 36 seconds left.

Lewis' layup 29 seconds later put the Bears up by three and Yonel Brown missed a potential tying 3 for the Owls.

Ray led Kennesaw State with a career-high 30 points.

Mercer outrebounded the Owls 40-25, including 17-6 on the offensive glass.