GAME NOTES--SAMFORD VS. BELMONT (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Samford Bulldogs will wrap up their nine-game homestand when they host Belmont Saturday afternoon. The game is set for a 2 p.m. start from the Pete Hanna Center.
 
At halftime of Saturday's game, Samford Athletics will host the Second Annual Bulldog Baby Race, Presented by BMW. All babies under 14 months old are invited to join the halftime race and become the next Bulldog Baby Champion.
 
Samford and Belmont have met 31 previous times, with Belmont holding a 19-12 series lead. The teams met last season, with Belmont coming away with a 79-56 win in Nashville, Tenn.
 
Samford enters the weekend with a mark of 8-2 on the young season. The Bulldogs hosted Alabama A&M on Monday in the Pete Hanna Center, with Samford earning a 118-91 victory in the game. Samford has won its last eight-straight games. If Samford can earn a win over Belmont Saturday, the nine-game win streak would be the longest since the 1998-99 team won 13-straight games. The current nine-game homestand is the longest in program history.
 
So far this season, Samford has been led by junior Achor Achor, averaging 14.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, leading the team in both categories. Senior Jermaine Marshall is scoring 12.7 points per game, while junior A.J. Staton-McCray is averaging 12.6 points per game.
 
Entering Saturday's game, Samford ranks in the top five in the nation in several categories. Samford ranks in the top five in fastbreak points per game (2nd-21.00 pg.), bench points per game (3rd-39.70 ppg.), steals per game (4th-12.1 pg.), assists per game (5th-20.5) and turnovers forced per game (4th-18.60 pg.).
 
Samford currently leads the Southern Conference in scoring (90.8 ppg.), scoring margin (+15.2), three-pointers made (10.8 pg.), three-point field goal percentage (0.397), free throw percentage (0.768), team offensive rebounds (13.4 pg.), turnover margin (3.20), assists (20.50 pg.) and steals (12.10 pg.). Individually for Samford, A.J. Staton-McCray ranks second in the SoCon in free throw percentage (.882) and steals (1.9 pg.). Achor Achor ranks third in the league in field goal percentage (.563) and blocked shots (1.6 pg.). Rylan Jones ranks third in assist to turnover ratio (2.9) and fourth in assists (4.4 pg.).
 
The Belmont Bruins enter Saturday's game with a record of 8-3. Belmont most recently played at Middle Tennessee, earning a 75-65 win, on Dec. 9.
 
Belmont has been led so far this season by Cade Tyson, averaging 17.1 points per game. Malik Dia averages 16.8 points and a team-high 5.5 rebounds per contest. Ja'Kobie Gillespie scores 16.6 points per game, and he dishes out a team-high 3.7 assists per game.
 
Fans can purchase tickets to Saturday's game at the following link: BUY TICKETS. The game can be seen live on ESPN+ and live stats will also be available. For links to follow all of Samford's games this season, click on the following link: 2023-24 MBB SCHEDULE.
 
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS
For the latest news and information on Samford men's basketball, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordSports (Facebook), @SamfordMBB (Twitter), and @SamfordMBB (Instagram).