Samford defeats North Carolina-Greensboro 68-64

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Jeffrey Merritt scored 17 points and Samford held off North Carolina-Greensboro 68-64 on Thursday night.

The Bulldogs (10-5, 2-1 Southern Conference) led by as many as 15 points in the first half and held a 40-27 advantage at halftime. Samford shot 54.2 percent in the first half (13 of 24) but managed just 37.9 percent in the second (11 of 29) to allow the Spartans back in it.

UNC Greensboro (0-13, 0-3) scored 13 straight to open the second half and tied it at 40 on Korey Van Dussen's 3-pointer with 15:04 left to play. Van Dussen, who finished with 15 points, had 11 during the spurt, including three straight 3-pointers.

Van Dussen later cut the Bulldogs' lead to 64-62 with 24 seconds left before Josh Davis sealed it for Samford on two free throws and a layup.

Davis finished with 15 points for the Bulldogs, who won for the fifth time in six games.