Feb. 5, 2009

Box Score

GREENVILLE, S.C. - Against Southern Conference-foe Furman on Thursday, the Samford University basketball team mounted a late comeback on the road in Timmons Arena, but the Bulldogs' come-from-behind effort fell short, 63-57. The Paladins were led in scoring by Jordan Miller's 18 points, including 12-straight in the second half.

"Miller was the key in the game," said Samford head coach Jimmy Tillette. "He caught on fire in the second half and all 18 of his points were scored after halftime. I was disappointed in how we guarded him and I was also disappointed in our rebounding. We gave up 15 offensive rebounds tonight and that is unacceptable."

With the loss, Samford (11-11, 6-7 SoCon) had its road winning streak snapped at two-straight games after the Bulldogs defeated Elon 55-51 on Jan. 22 and UNC Greensboro 76-61 on Jan. 24. Samford dropped to 3-8 on the road this season.

Furman (4-17, 2-10 SoCon) picked up its second-consecutive home victory Thursday. In their most recent SoCon game in Timmons Arena, the Paladins posted a 59-54 triumph against UNC Greensboro on Jan. 26. All four of Furman's wins this season have come at home.

Samford's Bryan Friday scored a career-high 21 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field. The Bulldogs' 6-foot-6 forward from Grapevine, Texas, was also 8-for-10 from the free-throw line and 1-for-2 from beyond the arc.

Josh Davis, Samford's sophomore guard, added a season-high 17 points on a 6-of-10 shooting performance from the floor. He knocked down a career-high five 3-point baskets and paced an 11-4 run in the first half of play with three-straight 3s.

Davis, a native of Lubbock, Texas, connected on five of Samford's seven total 3-pointers Thursday.

The Bulldogs turned in a 48.8 shooting percentage in the game, including a 33.3 mark from 3-point range. Furman shot 48.9 percent from the field and tallied a 46.2 shooting percentage from beyond the arc. The Paladins' 3-point percentage was their third best of the 2008-09 campaign.

After a pair of free throws from Friday late in the second half, Samford trimmed Furman's lead to 53-51 with 3:25 to play.

The Paladins' Justin Dehm then came off the bench and sank a deep 3-point basket from the left flank to increase the lead to 56-51. Following another jumper from Dehm, Furman held a 58-51 advantage with 2:12 left in the game.

Samford then used a free throw from Friday, a pair of free throws from Trey Montgomery and a long range 3-pointer from Davis to cut the lead back down to 59-57 with 38 seconds remaining. Davis' late 3-point field goal helped the Bulldogs to a 5-1 run in only 14 seconds.

During the stretch, Samford's Curtis West picked up a pair of steals and kept the Bulldogs in the game.

With Furman leading 59-57, the Paladins' Dehm was fouled with 34 seconds left and he knocked down both free throws to extend the advantage to 61-57.

On Samford's last two possessions, Montgomery missed a deep 3-pointer from the top of the key. The Bulldogs were then able to get the rebound and Montgomery drove to the goal for an apparent dunk, but Noah States was awarded with a blocked shot on the play and Miller pulled down the rebound.

Miller was then fouled and knocked down both free throws to give Furman its final 63-57 advantage.

After Miller's team-high 18 points, all of which were scored in the second half of play, the Paladins' States and Dehm followed with 10 points apiece.

Samford's Montgomery added 10 points and turned in a 4-of-9 outing from the field.

Furman finished the game with 15 offensive rebounds, compared to only three for Samford. The Paladins out-rebounded the Bulldogs 35-13.

Despite going through a 7:55 scoring drought in the first half of play, Samford took a 27-25 advantage into the intermission. The Bulldogs were led in scoring by Friday's 12 first-half points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field.

Samford's Davis knocked down three-straight 3-point baskets and led the Bulldogs on an 11-4 run. Friday also scored during the stretch on a slashing left-handed drive to the goal.

The Samford University basketball team will next be in action Saturday at 6 p.m. (CST) as the Bulldogs conclude their two-game road swing against the Wofford Terriers in Spartanburg, S.C.