KENNESAW, Ga. -- A.J. Merriweather scored 19 points and pulled down 10 rebounds as East Tennessee State won its conference opener 71-55 at Kennesaw State on Saturday.

East Tennessee State (8-6, 1-0 Atlantic Sun Conference) closed the first half on a 10-2 run, led by two 3-pointers from Rashawn Rembert to take a 40-32 halftime lead.

The Buccaneers scored the first 10 points of the second half and Kennesaw State (3-13, 0-3) could not erase the deficit, trailing by double digits for the remainder of the game. Merriweather had 12 second-half points.

Rembert scored 19 points for the Buccaneers, who shot 55 percent from the field and 50 percent (7 of 14) from long range.

Orlando Coleman scored 11 points and Nate Rucker added 10 for Kennesaw State.

East Tennessee State coach Murry Bartow earned his 300th career victory on Saturday as the Buccaneers improved to 9-0 all-time against Kennesaw State.