CULLOWHEE, N.C. (Interstat) — A surging Mercer squad looks to solidify its standing when it visits Western Carolina in a Southern Conference men’s basketball matchup Wednesday night at the Ramsey Center. The Bears (18-11, 8-8 SoCon) enter on a high note after a dramatic 89-86 home victory over league-leading Samford on Saturday. Mercer has won three of its last four, with the lone loss a tight 94-90 decision to Chattanooga. Guard Baraka Okojie has been the catalyst for Mercer’s late-season push. The dynamic junior is averaging 22.1 points over his last eight games, including a 25-point, six-rebound, five-assist effort in the win over Samford. His backcourt play will be central to Mercer’s hopes of completing a regular-season sweep of the Catamounts. Western Carolina (12-15, 7-9) has found its rhythm in February, winning four of its last five contests. The Catamounts are coming off a dominant 81-62 road win at Virginia Military Institute, powered by a double-double from forward Cord Stansberry. The senior is averaging 16.4 points and 7.4 rebounds over his last five outings, providing consistent production in the paint. In the first meeting on Jan. 21 in Macon, Mercer secured an 88-76 victory. The Bears’ offense proved too potent, a trend they will aim to continue against a Western Carolina defense that has improved during its recent uptick. The game carries significance for conference tournament seeding. Mercer can clinch a winning regular-season record with a victory, while Western Carolina aims to reach .500 in league play and build momentum heading into the final weekend. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern. Mercer concludes its regular season at home against East Tennessee State on Saturday, while Western Carolina hosts Furman the same day.