Jacksonville 73, Kennesaw State 56

1/10/2008 8:51 PM

KENNESAW, Ga. (AP) -Ben Smith scored 17 points, including two 3-pointers during a 17-4 run early in the second half, to help Jacksonville beat Kennesaw State 73-56 Thursday night.

Kelvin McConnell had three 3-pointers that helped keep Kennesaw State (2-13 overall, 0-2 Atlantic Sun Conference) in contention through the first half. McConnell finished with 14 points.

But the Dolphins (6-8, 3-0) jumped to a 53-34 lead with 11:54 left in the second half on Aric Brooks' layup. Smith, who also had 11 assists and three steals, sparked the second-half run with nine points.

Jacksonville took its biggest lead of the game a couple of minutes later at 59-37 on a layup by Ayron Hardy, who finished with 13 points and seven rebounds. The Owls made it 59-43 on a jumper by Ryan Daugherty with 5:22 left but could get no closer.

Lehmon Colberts scored 13 points for the Dolphins, while Marcus Allen added 10.

Daugherty had 10 points for Kennesaw State.