Jan. 22, 2004

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Craig Lewis went 4 for 4 from the free-throw line in the final minute of play as Morehead State overcame 29 points from Tyson Dorsey to defeat Samford 65-60 in Ohio Valley Conference men's basketball action at Seibert Hall Thursday night.

Dorsey was 8 for 13 from three-point range and 5 for 5 from the free throw to lead all scorers in the game with a career-high 29 points but he was the only Bulldog in double figures as Samford dropped to 8-8 on the season and 3-2 in the OVC. The loss snaps a nine-game home winning streak for the Bulldogs. Samford's last home loss came almost a year ago to the day, January 23, 2003 against Mercer.

Ricky Minard and Chez Marks each scored 19 points to lead Morehead State (8-8, 3-2 OVC) Minard added eight rebounds and four assists. Chad McKnight had 12 points and seven rebounds while Lewis posted 10 points and 10 rebounds as the Eagles out-rebounded the Bulldogs 35-27 including 17-6 on the offensive glass.

"I thought we defended well tonight," said Samford head coach Jimmy Tillette. "I thought offensively we were too tentative to begin the game. We shot better in the second half but had 18 turnovers. They (Morehead State) have good players and they stepped up tonight. We can rely on Tyson doing all the scoring other guys have to step up."

Samford led 42-35 at the 12:53 mark of the second half before Morehead State went on a 7-0 run to tie the game at 42 with 9:14 remaining. Josh Hare put the Bulldogs back on top with a lay-up and Samford held the lead until Marks went on a personal 11-0 run. Marks tied the game at 47 with a three-pointer at the 8:01 mark. He hit two more threes and a lay-up to give MSU a 55-50 lead with 4:35 to play.

Samford tied the game at 58 with a three-pointer by J. Robert Merritt with 1:39 left to play but the Eagles were 5 for 6 from the foul line and did not allow Samford a field goal in the final minute of play.

Morehead State took 19 more shots than did Samford making 41 percent from the floor and 35 percent from three-point range. MSU finished the game 9 for 14 from the free throw line but made them count at the end.

Samford only took only 10 shots from inside the three-point arc against the MSU zone. The Bulldogs shot 43 percent from the floor, 41 percent from three-point range, and were 11 for 14 from the free throw line. Of Samford's 18 made baskets 13 of them were from three point range.

Both teams return to action on Saturday as Samford hosts Eastern Kentucky in a 2 p.m. game while Morehead State travels to Jacksonville State.