Merthie scores 21 as Campbell takes over first in A-Sun with 66-46 win over S.C.-Upstate

Campbell defeats S.C.-Upstate 66-46

BUIES CREEK, N.C. — Lorne Merthie scored 21 points and Campbell took over first place in the Atlantic Sun Conference with a 66-46 victory over South Carolina-Upstate on Wednesday night.

Merthie hit a career-high seven 3-pointers, going 7-for-9, to help the Camels (17-9, 12-5) win their fifth consecutive game and set a school record for conference victories.

Jonathan Rodriguez added 15 points as Campbell led throughout, going up 41-22 on a Merthie 3-pointer with 3:55 left before halftime.

Amir Celestin, who scored 11 points, hit two free throws to give the Camels a 51-31 advantage with 14:46 to play in the game. They pushed the lead to 66-40 on William Kossangue’s layup with 3:59 remaining.

Campbell was 20-for-23 from the foul line and outrebounded S.C.-Upstate 37-26 behind Miles Taylor, who had 10.

Josh Chavis scored 12 and Ryan LeGates added 10 points for the Spartans (5-21, 5-12).