March 5, 2003
TIPOFF: Thursday, Mar. 6, 2003, 8 p.m. CT GSU Sports Arena; Atlanta, Ga.
AIR: The game can be heard on WVSU 91.1-FM and the internet at www.samfordsports.com.
SAMFORD: Samford enters its final Atlantic Sun Tournament as the No. 6 seed by finishing third in the A-Sun North. The Bulldogs have played in more Atlantic Sun Tournaments than any other conference member. This year marks the 20th A-Sun Tournament for the Bulldogs. Red-shirt freshman J. Robert Merritt was named to the 2003 Atlantic Sun All-Freshman team. Merritt averaged 9.7 points per game but has averaged 11.1 points and 5.4 rebounds in the last seven games. Phillip Ramelli continues to lead the Bulldogs averaging 11.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Tyson Dorsey is ninth in the nation in three-point field goal percentage and the Bulldogs are seventh in the nation in made three-pointers per game. Eddie Harper has averaged 15 points over game over the last three games and has been in double figures in four of the last five games.
TROY STATE: The Trojans claimed a share of the Atlantic Sun regular season championships but are the No. 3 seed in the tournament. Troy State has won 11 of its last 12 games and four in row heading into the tournament. Ben Fletcher was named to the A-Sun first team leading the Trojans in scoring at 14.1 points per game. He is has made 85 three-point shots on the season. Rob Lewin is third in the conference in rebounding at 7.8 boards per game. TSU led the Atlantic Sun in scoring during the regular season at 81.3 points per game and are second in the nation averaging 10.2 three-pointers per game.
INSIDE STUFF: Expect a lot of three-points shot between the Trojans and Bulldogs. They are the top two teams in the Atlantic Sun in made three-pointers per game and are both in the top seven nationally. In the first meeting in January, Troy State defeated Samford 66-48. The teams combined for 24 three-pointers compared to 16 two-point baskets.
NEXT: The winner will face the winner of the Belmont/Georgia State game on Friday night at 8:15 ET in the second semi-final.
