Nov. 29, 2004

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University basketball team will attempt to win its fourth-consecutive home game on Tuesday as the Bulldogs welcome the IUPUI Jaguars to Seibert Hall for a non-conference matchup beginning at 7 p.m.

Samford (3-1) has not lost a game at home since Feb. 19 of last season and owns a 1-0 record in Seibert Hall this year. In their home-opener on Saturday, the Bulldogs stymied the Louisiana-Monroe Indians and posted a lopsided 76-62 victory.

The reigning Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week, J. Robert Merritt, led five Samford players in double figures against Louisiana-Monroe. The 6-6 junior finished with 18 points and shot a torrid 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. He is currently leading the Bulldogs with 20.3 points per game.

IUPUI (2-1) heads into Tuesday's game riding a wave of success after handing Colorado State its first loss of the season, 76-66, on Saturday.

After the Jaguars lost their season-opening contest on the road against Wisconsin-Green Bay, 68-53, the team has reeled off consecutive 10-point wins versus Huntington College and Colorado State. IUPUI is led in scoring by junior Brandon Cole, who is averaging 17 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.

Samford is shooting a stellar 50 percent from the floor this season, including a blistering 51.9 percent from beyond the arc.

The Bulldogs have five players shooting at least 50 percent from three-point range and Merritt has connected on a team-high 13 three-point shots. He currently owns a 54.2 percentage from beyond the arc.

Senior Josh Hare is a perfect 2-of-2 from three-point land this season and Jerry Smith has connected on 5-of-6 of his three-point attempts. Jon Mills, the Bulldogs' senior from Winfield, Ala., is second on the team with nine three-pointers and possesses a 60 percent average from downtown.

Tuesday's contest between Samford and IUPUI will be the first all-time meeting between the two teams. The non-conference foes are scheduled to play a home-and-home series this season and the Bulldogs will square off against IUPUI in Indianapolis, Ind., on Dec. 28.

The Samford University basketball team will attempt to remain undefeated at home during the 2004-05 season on Tuesday as the Bulldogs host the IUPUI Jaguars at 7 p.m., in Seibert Hall.

All of Samford's home games are general admission seating, $8 for adults and $4 for children 3-12 (children under the age of three are admitted free). Special pricing is available for groups of 10 or more.

For more information, please feel free to call the Samford athletics ticket office at (205) 726-2966.