Dec. 17, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University basketball team will return to the friendly confines of the Pete Hanna Center for the first time since Nov. 24 on Thursday as the Bulldogs host the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in a non-conference showdown beginning at 7 p.m.

Fans unable to attend the game in person can listen live to Samford's broadcast on WVSU 91.1 FM or via the internet at www.samford.edu/groups/wvsu.

Samford (3-4) enters Thursday's matchup with an unblemished 3-0 record at home. In their three games held in the Pete Hanna Center this season, the Bulldogs have earned wins against Spring Hill 72-52, Campbellsville 73-54 and Lipscomb 57-50. Samford's last home loss occurred Feb. 16 in a hard-fought 74-73 defeat against Eastern Kentucky.

So far this season, Samford is shooting 12 percent better from the field in the Pete Hanna Center. At home, the Bulldogs have compiled an impressive 49.7 shooting percentage from the field, as opposed to a 37.7 mark when playing on the road.

Louisiana Tech (5-5) enters the matchup with aspirations of winning its first game away from home since Nov. 18. The Bulldogs are 2-5 when playing outside of Ruston, La., and have dropped five-straight games away from the Thomas Assembly Center.

On Monday, Louisiana Tech lost a 61-44 decision at McNeese State. The Bulldogs' Kyle Gibson scored a game-high 19 points in the loss, but was only 4-of-15 from the field. As a team, Louisiana Tech faltered from the floor and only connected on 26.4 percent of its field-goal attempts and 19.2 percent of its shots from 3-point range.

Louisiana Tech's roster boasts four players averaging double figures in scoring. Gibson is leading the way with 16.3 points per contest, while Jamel Guyton follows with a 13.6 points-per-game average this season.

Also averaging in double figures for the Bulldogs are Kenneth Cooper (12.4 ppg) and Magnum Rolle (11.4). Rolle, a 6-11 junior transfer from LSU, is also adding 6.9 rebounds per contest.

Thursday's game will mark the sixth all-time meeting between Samford and Louisiana Tech. Samford owns a 3-2 advantage in the series and is 1-0 when playing Louisiana Tech at home in Birmingham.

Last season, the teams squared off in an ESPNU BracketBusters matchup held in Ruston, La., and Samford rallied for a thrilling 73-70 overtime victory.

In the Bulldogs' win, Bryan Friday exploded for a career-high 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting from the field. Samford point guard Trey Montgomery also added 16 points and six rebounds in the come-from-behind victory.

It is safe to say that Samford's offensive style is unique. While most teams play pressure defense and tend to run the ball up the court, the Bulldogs use patience and precision cutting on offense to get either a back-door layup or a wide open look at a 3-point shot.

With that in mind, Samford's offense is hard to prepare for and often poses problems for the opposition's coaches in the league to scout. Since head coach Jimmy Tillette incorporated the Princeton offense at Samford in 1997, the Bulldogs have reeled off a 70-39 record in games played against teams that have less than three days to prepare.

Samford is the top-ranked team in the nation in fewest personal fouls per game.

The Bulldogs are averaging 13 fouls per contest and have only allowed opponents to shoot a total of 90 free throws this season. Samford is also ranked among the nation's leaders in scoring defense, as the Bulldogs are ranked No. 60 in the category by only allowing 61.3 points per game.

Individually, Samford's Josh Bedwell is ranked No. 12 in the nation in free-throw shooting percentage (90.5).

Samford's Montgomery is the team's leading rebounder this season. The Bulldogs' Montgomery is also the team's starting point guard. At 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, Samford's high-flying native of Destrehan, La., is averaging 5.9 rebounds per contest and has led the Bulldogs in rebounding in each of the team's previous five outings.

Against Campbellsville on Nov. 20, Montgomery pulled down a season-high nine boards in Samford's decisive 73-54 victory.

Following their game against Louisiana Tech on Thursday, the Bulldogs will next be in action Saturday at 7 p.m., as they once again return to the road for a non-conference matchup versus the Chicago State Cougars at the Emil and Patricia Jones Convocation Center (7,000) in Chicago, Ill.

Samford Basketball Game Notes