Second-Half Surge lifts Samford over Keydets 78-75

Saturday, January 4

Lexington, Va.

12:00 PM (CT)

Samford University

8-8,2-0SoCon

VMI

5-11,0-3SoCon

Team	1	2	F
Samford	37	41	78
VMI	40	35	75

Second-Half Surge lifts Samford over Keydets 78-75

1.4.20 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

LEXINGTON, Va. – A second-half push that included a 15-0 run propelled the Samford men's basketball team over VMI Saturday afternoon at Cameron Hall.

Despite shooting just 30-percent from the three-point line, the Bulldogs used balanced scoring and stifling defense to take down the Keydets and improve to 2-0 in Southern Conference play this season.

FROM THE BOX SCORE

Josh Sharkey had another stellar day at the office racking up a game-high 25 points and adding to this nation's best assist totals with 10 dimes. The Philadelphia, Pa. native shot 8-11 from the field in one of the most efficient games of his senior season.
Needing a boost in the absence of senior Brandon Austin, the Bulldogs turned to Donte Tatum and he delivered in a big way. Tatum tallied 16 points and added six boards to help lead Samford to victory.
Jalen Dupree continues to shine in his first season as a Bulldog. The Murray State transfer recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Trailing throughout most of the first 25 minutes of the contest, Samford broke the game open with a 15-0 run that included a stretch of nine consecutive made baskets.
The Bulldogs led by as many as 14 points in the second half. The Keydets trimmed the margin to just one with under a minute to play in regulation, but two Sharkey free throws iced the game away as Samford held on for the win.
Robert Allen (11 points, six rebounds) and Deandre Thomas (10 points) rounded out a group of five Bulldogs in double digits for the contest.

UP NEXT

Samford will return home and put its perfect Southern Conference and home records on the line as they host Wofford, 6:30 Wednesday night at the Pete Hanna Center.