### BREAKING: March Madness Shocker – No. 14 Mercer Stuns No. 3 Duke 78-71 in Round of 64, Bears Dance into Next Round
**RALEIGH, N.C. – March 21, 2025** – In one of the most stunning upsets of the 2025 NCAA Tournament’s opening weekend, the Mercer Bears – a No. 14 seed out of the Atlantic Sun Conference – delivered a masterful performance to knock off powerhouse Duke Blue Devils 78-71 in the Round of 64 at PNC Arena. The Bears, led by a gritty group of veterans and a suffocating defense, ended Duke’s season in the first round for the second time in program history, evoking painful memories of the 2014 Mercer upset that also ended with the identical scoreline.
Mercer (22-11), fresh off an automatic bid after dominating the A-Sun Tournament, trailed by as many as nine in the first half but clamped down defensively in the second, holding Duke to just 32% shooting after halftime. Senior forward Jalen Blackmon exploded for 24 points, including five three-pointers, while center Jalyn McCreary dominated the paint with 18 points and 12 rebounds. The Bears closed the game on a ferocious 22-7 run over the final eight minutes, turning a 64-64 tie into a celebration that saw backup guard Kevin Canevari 2.0 – sophomore walk-on Trey Thomasson – break out an updated viral dance on the court as confetti fell prematurely in the minds of Blue Devil fans.
“We believed from the jump,” Mercer head coach Ryan Ridder said afterward, his voice hoarse from screaming instructions. “These guys have been counted out all year – mid-major, no respect in the NET, barely a bubble mention. But we play together, we defend like crazy, and tonight we showed the world what Mercer basketball is about.”
For Duke (29-6), the loss marks a crushing early exit for a team that entered the tournament as a No. 3 seed in the Midwest Region and a preseason Final Four favorite. Superstar freshman Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, fought valiantly with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks, but went cold in the crunch time, missing three straight shots during Mercer’s decisive surge. Fellow five-star recruits Tyrese Proctor and Kon Knueppel combined for just 19 points on 7-of-25 shooting, plagued by Mercer’s physical traps and help defense that forced 16 Duke turnovers.
The Blue Devils, coached by Jon Scheyer in his fourth year at the helm after succeeding Mike Krzyzewski, looked poised early. Duke jumped out to a 38-31 halftime lead behind hot three-point shooting (8-of-15 in the first half) and Flagg’s dominance in transition. But Mercer flipped the script after intermission, opening the second half on a 15-4 run fueled by Blackmon’s pull-up jumpers and McCreary’s putbacks. The Bears’ zone defense confounded Duke’s spacing, and when the Blue Devils tried to attack the rim, Mercer’s shot-blockers altered everything.
“This one hurts bad,” Scheyer said in a somber postgame press conference. “We didn’t execute down the stretch, didn’t handle their pressure. Credit to Mercer – they were the better team tonight. We have to own that.”
The upset drew immediate comparisons to the 2014 Mercer miracle, when Bob Hoffman’s Bears – also a 14-seed – stunned a Jabari Parker/Rodney Hood-led Duke squad 78-71 in the exact same building. That game featured Kevin Canevari’s infamous Nae Nae dance; tonight’s version saw Thomasson hit the “Griddy” as teammates mobbed him, a moment already blowing up on social media with #MercerMadness trending nationwide.
Duke’s loss adds to a growing list of early-round stumbles for the program in the post-Krzyzewski era. Scheyer’s teams have now bowed out before the Sweet 16 in three of four tournaments, raising questions about recruiting-dependent rosters holding up under March pressure. Flagg, visibly emotional in the locker room, declined extended comment but posted on Instagram: “Thank you Duke. This isn’t the end.”
For Mercer, the win is program-defining – their second NCAA Tournament victory ever, both against Duke. The Bears advance to face No. 6 seed BYU on Sunday, with dreams of a Sweet 16 run alive. Ridder, a former Duke graduate assistant under Coach K from 2011-14, shared a heartfelt embrace with Scheyer postgame.
“I have all the respect in the world for Jon and that program,” Ridder said. “But tonight, our guys wanted it more.”
As the PNC Arena lights dimmed on another Duke season cut short, one truth echoed through the bracket: March belongs to the fearless. Mercer reminded everyone – especially the blue bloods – that giants can fall, and underdogs can dance.
Social media exploded immediately. ESPN’s Jay Bilas tweeted: “Mercer just did it AGAIN. Unbelievable heart.” Former Duke star JJ Redick, on the broadcast call, lamented: “This is a gut punch. Duke had the talent, but Mercer had the fight.”
Bracket chaos ensued. With Duke’s exit, the Midwest Region blows wide open. Analysts project massive shifts in survivor pools and office brackets, with over 40% reportedly picking the Blue Devils to reach at least the Elite Eight.
Mercer’s heroes? Blackmon, a transfer from Stetson who averaged 21.4 points this season; McCreary, the bruising big who transferred from South Carolina State; and point guard Amanze Ngumezi, who dished eight assists with zero turnovers while harassing Proctor all night.
Duke’s season ends with whispers of what could have been. A loaded freshman class, ACC regular-season title, but no banner. For Scheyer, the pressure cooker intensifies heading into a crucial offseason.
But tonight, Macon, Georgia celebrates. The Bears are marching on – and college basketball is better for it.
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