NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (AP) Samford made 11 three-point shots and J. Robert Merritt scored 20 points as the Bulldogs defeated Cal State Fullerton 69-57 in the first round of the Mohegan Sun Classic Friday night.
The Bulldogs, running their spread-out offense, needed their perimeter shooting.
Cal State Fullerton cut into a 12-point second-half deficit to make the game 47-46 with seven minutes left. But the Bulldogs from the Ohio Valley Conference outscored Cal State Fullerton 14-2 over the next five minutes to win their season opener.
Jermaine Harper led Cal State Fullerton with 20 points, including 14 in the second half.
The Bulldogs spread the court on offense, set numerous screens and sought backdoor cuts for lay-ups. But their primary offensive weapons were three-point shots.
