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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Samford University basketball team committed a season-high 25 turnovers Thursday and surrendered a seven-point advantage in the final 5:40 of play as the Appalachian State Mountaineers outscored the Bulldogs, 17-3, down the stretch to tally a 63-57 victory at the Pete Hanna Center. Samford committed 18 of its 25 turnovers in the opening half of play.
 
"I've seen a lot of basketball, but I've never seen 18 turnovers in one half before," said Samford head coach Bennie Seltzer. "We lose the game by six points and there's no way we should turn the ball over 18 times in the first half."
 
Samford (11-19, 5-10 SoCon) suffered a rare loss at home Thursday and moved to 9-4 when playing in Birmingham this season.
 
With its victory, Appalachian State (9-19, 5-10 SoCon) snapped a three-game losing streak and picked up its second road win of the 2013-14 campaign. The Mountaineers currently own a 2-12 mark when playing away from Boone, N.C., this year.
 
Despite committing 18 turnovers in the first period, Samford only trailed Appalachian State, 33-30, at the intermission. The Bulldogs turned in a brilliant 59.1-percent shooting mark from the field in the opening half, while limiting the Mountaineers to just two 3-point field-goal attempts.
 
Samford played much better in the second period and garnered an eight-point lead, 46-38, with 12:26 remaining in the game. The Bulldogs used a 16-5 run to open the final half of play as they received seven points from Tim Williams, a 3-point basket from Isaiah Williams and layups from both Michael Bradley and Connor Miller.
 
Throughout a predominant portion of the second half, Samford maintained an eight-to-three point lead until the 7:19 mark when Raijon Kelly drained a deep 3-pointer to give the Bulldogs a 54-46 advantage.
 
Appalachian State would then mount its game-winning comeback in the final seven minutes of action as the Mountaineers scored the next 15 points and finished the Southern Conference contest with a back-breaking 17-3 run.
 
Tommy Spagnolo paced Appalachian State with 21 points and 10 rebounds Thursday as he tallied the game's lone double-double. Aaron Scott came off the bench for the Mountaineers and added 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field.
 
On Samford's ledger, Tim Williams proved to be the Bulldogs' only double-digit scorer as the 6-foot-8 Chicago native nearly registered a double-double of his own with 20 points and nine rebounds. He also tallied three blocked shots and handed out a pair of assists
 
Samford's Bradley turned in his best performances of the season as he accumulated career-highs in both points (9) and rebounds (11). The Bulldogs' 6-foot-10 native of Chattanooga, Tenn., also added an assist in 25 minutes of playing time.
 
Additionally for Samford, Kelly knocked down a pair of 3-pointers for six points, while Isaiah Williams and Miller both finished with five apiece.
 
"I thought Mike played a really good game, but when you turn the ball over that many times as a team, it makes it nearly impossible to win," Seltzer said. "Right now, we're going to get back after it tomorrow and start getting ready to play Western Carolina on Saturday."
 
The Bulldogs' 25 turnovers Thursday proved to be its highest of the season and surpassed its previous worst mark of 20 in an 85-63 victory over Austin Peay on Dec. 7. The Mountaineers committed 15 turnovers in the contest.
 
Samford limited Appalachian State to 38.2-percent shooting from the floor, but was out-rebounded by the Mountaineers, 40-36.
 
Appalachian State outscored the Bulldogs in points-off-turnovers, 22-9, and second-chance points, 14-7, but Samford led in fast-break points, 8-0.
 
The Samford University basketball team will next be in action Saturday at 6 p.m. (CT) as the Bulldogs conclude their regular-season schedule at home against the Western Carolina Catamounts. Fans are encouraged to arrive early as Samford will honor seniors Hamilton Bailey, Matthew Powell and Tony Thompson prior to the game.

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