North Alabama secures 82-66 win against Bellarmine to open ASUN

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FLORENCE, Ala. (AP) — Daniel Ortiz scored 26 points as North Alabama beat Bellarmine 82-66 on Thursday night to start Atlantic Sun Conference play.

Ortiz shot 9 for 18, including 8 for 17 from beyond the arc for the Lions (9-5, 1-0). Taye Fields scored 20 points while shooting 9 of 13 from the field and 2 for 3 from the line and added eight rebounds. Jacari Lane had 13 points and went 5 of 11 from the field (2 for 7 from 3-point range).

The Knights (3-11, 0-1) were led in scoring by Billy Smith, who finished with 16 points. Bellarmine also got 11 points from Jack Karasinski. Landin Hacker had 10 points.

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Both teams play again on Saturday. North Alabama hosts Eastern Kentucky and Bellarmine travels to play Central Arkansas.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.