BOX SCORE (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford men's basketball team opened Southern Conference play with an 83-75 setback to defending SoCon champion UNCG Saturday afternoon in the Pete Hanna Center.
 
With the loss, Samford falls to 10-4 overall and 0-1 in SoCon play. UNCG improves to 12-2 overall and 1-0 in league contests.


 
FROM THE BOX SCORE

• Myron Gordon led Samford in scoring with 16 points.
• Ruben Guerrero had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Bulldogs.
• Brandon Austin had 12 points for Samford
• Josh Sharkey tallied 11 points, seven rebounds and nine assists.
• UNCG was led by Francis Alonso with 30 points, with 17 of those coming from the free-throw line.
• Iaiah Miller had 20 points, while Kaleb Hunter added 14 points for the Spartans.

 
GAME HIGHLIGHTS

• Samford jumped out to an early 12-6 lead with 15:31 to go in the first half after a three-pointer by Austin.
• After UNCG cut the lead to 12-9, Samford went on a 12-2 run to push its lead to 24-11 with 12:45 left in the half after a three-pointer by Austin.
• The Bulldogs pushed their lead to 14 points at 33-19 with 6:38 left in the half after a layup by Sharkey.
• UNCG cut the lead to eight points at 42-34 with 1:45 to go in the opening period.
• Samford closed the half with a 6-2 run to push its lead to 48-36 at halftime.
• UNCG opened the second half with a 21-7 run to take a 57-55 lead with 10:25 to go after a pair of free throws by Alonso.
• The lead went back-and-forth for the rest of the game.
• With the score tied at 75-75, UNCG's Alonso made two free throws to give the Spartans a 77-75 lead with 58 seconds to go.
• After a Samford turnover, Alonso made a three-pointer to push the lead to 80-75 with 17 seconds left.
• Alonso then made three free throws down the stretch to make the final score 83-75.

 
UP NEXT

• Samford will next play on Saturday, Dec. 29, when the Bulldogs play host to SoCon foe VMI. The game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start from the Pete Hanna Center.