Merthie has 17 points, 4 3-pointers to lead Campbell to 73-57 victory over Jacksonville

Merthie hits 3s, Campbell beats Jacksonville 73-57

BUIES CREEK, N.C. — Lorne Merthie tied his season high with 17 points — hitting four 3-pointers in the first 13 minutes — and Campbell defeated Jacksonville 73-57 on Saturday in the Dolphins’ Atlantic Sun Conference opener.

The Camels (6-3, 2-0) jumped out to a 9-0 lead, then Jacksonville used a 9-1 run to pull within a point. Campbell forced 13 of the Dolphins’ 24 turnovers in the first half to take a 35-23 lead into halftime.

The Dolphins (1-6, 0-1) closed to 36-26 with 17:03 left, but could get no closer.

Jonathan Rodriguez added 14 points and William Kossangue had 13 for Campbell, which ended a two-game skid.

Campbell shot 44.4 percent from the field (20-for-45) and 4-for-11 from 3-point range, with Merthie going 4-for-7 from long range.

Ben Smith scored 16 points to lead the Dolphins, who beat Bethune-Cookman on Wednesday and have played six of their seven games on the road.