Five Mercer players scored in double figures, and the Bears earned a 71-61 win over Tulane on Thanksgiving night at the Challenge in Music City tournament in Nashville, Tenn.

Guard Phillip Leonard had a team-high 14 points for the Bears (4-1). Sophomore forward Stephon Jelks posted a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds) for a third consecutive game. Guard Ethan Stair finished with 12 points, guard Jestin Lewis had 11, and forward Desmond Ringer scored 10.

Senior guard Louis Dabney finished with a team-high 16 points for Tulane (2-3). Sophomore big man Dylan Osetkowski had 13 points. Sophomore guard Cameron Reynolds, making his season debut after missing the first four games recovering from a thumb injury, added 11 points off the bench.

The Green Wave lost for the third time this season to a squad from a lower-profile conference -- first dropping decisions to Southwestern Athletic Conference members Alabama A&M and Southern University and now to a Southern Conference team, Mercer.

The first half was close most of the way before Mercer asserted itself late to take a 26-19 lead into the intermission.

The Bears, led by Jelks, posted a 34-21 rebounding advantage. Mercer also shot 52.1 percent from the floor while limiting Tulane to 36.8 percent shooting.

The Challenge in Music City continues this weekend in Nashville. Tulane faces Stephen F. Austin on Friday and Liberty on Sunday. Mercer plays Appalachian State on Friday and Western Michigan on Sunday.