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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Samford University basketball team limited Southeastern Louisiana's starting lineup to 34 total points Friday, but the Lions' reserves outscored the Bulldogs' bench, 43-5, en route to a 77-71 victory held at the Pete Hanna Center. The matchup proved to be part of the 2017 Savannah Invitational.
 
With Friday's loss, Samford (1-5) moved to 1-1 when playing at home this season. On Nov. 13, the Bulldogs tallied an 87-68 triumph over Alabama A&M.
 
Samford will next be in action Sunday at 2 p.m. (CT) as the Bulldogs play host to Mississippi Valley State.
 
Southeastern Louisiana (3-3) and Samford were deadlocked at 61-61 with 3:34 left to play in Friday's contest following a jumper from Demetrius Denzel-Dyson. The Lions then received five quick points from Joshua Filmore and Eddy Polanco as Southeastern Louisiana garnered a 66-61 lead in the game.
 
Samford would trim the Lions' lead to three a few times down the stretch, but couldn't get any closer as Southeastern Louisiana was able to hang on for the 77-71 road win.
 
The Bulldogs were led Friday by Denzel-Dyson's 23 points on 9-of-10 shooting from the floor. Samford's preseason All-Southern Conference performer finished a perfect 5-for-5 from 3-point range and added six rebounds and three assists in the matchup.
 
Junior guard Justin Coleman made his second straight start for the Bulldogs and finished with 15 points, three assists and a pair of steals. He also knocked down a pair of 3-point baskets.
 
Seniors Alex Thompson and Eric Adams closed out the game with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Both of the aforementioned big men added six rebounds, while Adams chipped in with three blocked shots and two steals.
 
Southeastern Louisiana's Jordan Capps and Filmore both scored 19 points off the bench Friday. Capps, who actually spent his freshman season at Samford before transferring, added four points and two blocked shots.
 
Marlain Veal, the Lions' top scorer heading into the game, finished with 14 points, 10 assists and four steals. He also picked up the biggest offensive rebound of the matchup late in the game as he followed his own shot, pulled down a board amongst the trees and sent a pass out to the perimeter where Polanco connected on a 3-pointer.
 
Both teams shot well from the field Friday. Samford turned in a 49.1 percentage from the floor, while Southeastern Louisiana finished at 48.3 percent.
 
The Lions outscored the Bulldogs, 43-5, in points off the bench.
 
The Samford University basketball team will next be in action Sunday at 2 p.m. (CT) as the Bulldogs play host to the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils in a home matchup to be held at the Pete Hanna Center.
 
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