BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -- J. Robert Merritt scored 17 points, leading Samford to a 71-56 victory over Tennessee Temple on Saturday.
Merritt shot 5-of-11 from the field and was perfect in four free throws for the Bulldogs (5-3). Jerry Smith added 12 points and Randall Gulina had 10.
Paul Vespie, who hit 11-of-11 free throws, led the Crusaders (6-5) with 16 points. Ryan Wadley added 12.
Tennessee Temple opened scoring on a 7-2 run. The Bulldogs answered with 15-0 spurt, powered by 3-pointers from Merritt and Smith, and the Crusaders never caught up.
Samford had a 29-23 halftime advantage, and led by as many as 19 points in the second half.
The Bulldogs hit 53 percent of their shots, holding Tennessee Temple to 38 percent shooting.
