BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford men's basketball team set multiple school records in the Bulldogs' 134-96 win over VMI Saturday evening in the Pete Hanna Center.
 
The win was the 15^th-straight victory for Samford, marking the longest win streak in program history, breaking the old record of 14 set by the 1960-61 team. The Bulldogs are also tied with Utah State for the longest current win streak in the country. The 134 points are the most in school history, breaking the old record of 133 against Belhaven in 2020. The Bulldogs made 52 field goals in the game, tying the school record set against Mississippi College in 1971.
 
With the win, Samford improved to 15-2 overall and 4-0 in Southern Conference play. VMI fell to 3-14 overall and 0-4 in league action.
 
"That was fun if you like offense, both ways," Samford head coach Bucky McMillan said. "We broke the record because we're passing the ball well, we're getting the right looks, we're not getting selfish. We had 25 assists and 19 steals and that means that your defensive effort is actually pretty good. We scored 46 points off turnovers and that's pretty good. That was a fun game, watching both teams throw in shots."
 
Samford had eight players score in double figures. Riley Allenspach had a career-high 18 points and a career-high nine rebounds. Achor Achor also scored 18 points, while grabbing seven rebounds. A.J. Staton-McCray had 15 points, while Dallas Graziani, Garrett Hicks and Chandler Leopard scored 12 points each. Jaden Campbell and Nathan Johnson tallied 11 points each.
 
For VMI, Taeshaud Jackson led the way with 22 points. Stephen Olowoniyi had 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Tyran Cook also had 16 points. Brennan Watkins scored 15 points for the Keydets and Devin Butler added 12 points.
 
Samford jumped out to an early 11-3 lead with 17:46 to go in the first half following a three-point play by Achor. VMI fought back to cut the lead to 13-11 with 15:16 left in the half after a jumper by Watkins. Samford answered with an 11-2 run to take a 24-13 lead at the 13:48 mark in the first half after a three-pointer by Johnson.
 
After VMI cut the lead to 24-20, Samford went on a 15-1 run to push its lead to 39-21 with 9:42 left in the half after a three-pointer by Leopard. The Bulldogs extended their lead to 22 points at 53-31 with 5:39 to go in the opening half after a pair of free throws by Leopard. Samford led by as many as 28 points late in the first half, but a late run by VMI cut the lead to 72-54 heading into the locker room at halftime.
 
Samford opened the second half with a 19-5 run to push its lead to 91-59 with 15:05 to go after a layup by Staton-McCray. The Bulldogs led by as many as 41 points in the second half at 128-87 and Samford finished with a 38-point win, 134-96.
 
Samford will next play at Western Carolina on Tuesday, Jan. 16. The game is set for a 5 p.m. (CT) start from Cullowhee, N.C.




 
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