CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Demetre Rivers scored 22 points and Mercer defeated The Citadel 83-70 on Friday for the Bears' seventh consecutive victory.

Jordan Strawberry added three 3-pointers in scoring 17 points and had nine assists. Ross Cummings scored 14 points as the Bears (17-13, 10-7 Southern) shot 49 percent, outscoring the Bulldogs 36-16 in the paint.

Matt Frierson made five of The Citadel's 14 3-pointers and scored 18 points to lead the Bulldogs (10-19, 5-12), who have lost five of their last six. Zane Najdawi scored 17 points with seven rebounds, Kaelon Harris had 13 points and Kaiden Rice got his 12 points on 3-pointers.

Rivers scored nine points and Cory Kilby all nine of his during a 22-9 run that left the Bears ahead 58-46 with 12 minutes left. The Citadel got within seven in the final minute but Mercer made 8 of 8 free throws from there.