Jan. 5, 2004
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The Game: Samford (5-6) plays its first ever Ohio Valley Conference game against its third most common opponent, Jacksonville State (6-5, 0-1). The Bulldogs and Gamecocks have met 78 times over the past 83 years but Tuesday night's 7 p.m. meeting is the first as OVC members.
Samford has enjoyed shooting the ball at Seibert Hall in its four non-conference home games. The Bulldogs are shooting 63 percent from the floor, 52 percent from three-point range, and 87 percent from the free throw line. The Dogs are averaging 92 points per game and have won by an average of 39.2 points per game at Seibert.
Josh Hare tied his career high with 19 points against Tennessee Wesleyan. In his last four games, Hare is 18-24 from the floor, 5-6 from long range and 9-11 from the free throw line. He is third on the team averaging 12.5 points over the last four games.
J. Robert Merritt and Tyson Dorsey have combined of 51 of the Bulldogs 112 three-pointers so far this season. Merritt (28-52) leads the OVC hitting 53.8 percent of his long range shots and is third in the OVC averaging 2.55 made threes per game. Dorsey (23-56) is hitting on 41.1 percent of his shots and is six in the OVC making 2.09 threes per game. As a team, the Bulldogs are averaging and OVC best 10.18 made three pointers per game.
The Gamecocks have split their last six games after dropping their OVC opener 76-58 to Austin Peay on Saturday. Trent Eager leads JSU averaging 12.5 ppg and 5.3 rpg while Carl Brown is averaging 12.2 points and 4.6 boards. The Gamecocks are shooting 46 percent from the floor, 36 percent from long range, and 64 percent from the free throw line this season. JSU is 1-4 on the road with season with its only win coming at Savannah State 71-58.
Samford holds a 43-35 series lead against Jacksonville State but the Gamecocks have won three of the last four including the last meeting 74-63 in Jacksonville. The last meeting at Seibert Hall was a 74-62 Bulldog victory on Jan 20, 2003.
Up Next: Samford will travel to Nashville for its first ever OVC road game against Tennessee State. Tip off is at 7 p.m. after the women's game.
