Dec. 2, 2005

MOBILE, Ala. - The Samford University basketball team will attempt to extend its current winning streak to three-consecutive games on Saturday as the Bulldogs play at in-state rival South Alabama at 7:05 p.m., in Mobile, Ala.

The contest will be held at the Mitchell Center (10,000) and can be heard live on WVSU 91.1-FM or via the Internet at either www.samfordsports.com or www.al.com/WVSU.

Samford (3-2) heads into the matchup riding a wave of positive momentum after defeating Southern Miss, 52-33, on Monday.

With the win, Samford recorded its first victory over a current member of Conference USA since 2002. On Dec. 19, 2002, the Bulldogs rallied for a 59-58 triumph over then Atlantic Sun rival UCF at home in Seibert Hall.

Samford has played stifling defense this season and is currently ranked first in the Ohio Valley Conference by only allowing 54.4 points per game.

In the Bulldogs' first home game of the season on Nov. 26, they snapped a two-game losing streak by blowing out Bryan College, 96-45. The win was Samford's largest margin of victory in nearly six years, since a 92-35 triumph over North Georgia on Dec. 18, 1999.

Samford's only losses of the season have come on the road against teams ranked among the nation's top five. On Nov. 16, the Bulldogs dropped a 77-44 contest at No. 2 Texas and then fell to No. 5 Oklahoma, 68-41, in their next game.

South Alabama (3-1) also enters the contest with a two-game winning streak.

On Nov. 25, the Jaguars posted an 82-65 victory over Alabama State at home and then outlasted Loyola Marymount in overtime, 81-80, on the road in Los Angeles. South Alabama's top scorer this season is senior forward Richard Law with 12.8 points per game. He also averages 4.3 rebounds per contest.

The Bulldogs trail in their all-time series against South Alabama, 3-14.

The in-state rivalry between the teams began on Feb. 16, 1968, and was later revived on Dec. 27, 2002, after a 26-year hiatus. The Jaguars have won the previous 11 games in the series, including a slight 52-50 over Samford last season. USA is 10-0 when playing against the Bulldogs in Mobile.

In last season's game, Samford's J. Robert Merritt scored a career-high 30 points on 10-of-19 shooting from the field. He also connected on four 3-point baskets and recorded four steals.

The Samford University basketball team will attempt to win its first game against South Alabama held in Mobile, Ala., on Saturday, as the in-state rivals square off at approximately 7:05 p.m., at the Mitchell Center. The contest will follow a South Alabama women's basketball game and will start 30 minutes after its conclusion.

Samford's game against South Alabama can be heard live on WVSU 91.1-FM or via the Internet at either www.samfordsports.com or www.al.com/WVSU.