FLORENCE, Ala. - The Samford men's basketball team took to the road for the second time this season as they took the short trip north to face an undefeated North Alabama side. After an explosive offensive first half, the Bulldogs were forced to win the game in overtime, coming away with a 97-96 victory. The win takes Samford's record to 3-1 on the season while the Lions fall to the same mark.

The Dogs came out of the gates hot and jumped out to a lead over their hosts as Samford played one of their better offensive halves of the season. They scored 56 points in the opening 20 minutes of play led by the trio of Jaden Brownell, Riley Allenspach, and Trey Fort. Brownell scored 14 of his team-high 24 points in the first half while Fort had a quick 10 points and Allenspach had 11 off the bench. As a team, the Bulldogs shot it 56 percent from the floor in the opening half and knocked in seven threes on their way to a 56-37 lead.

It was a tale of two halves as North Alabama came out the aggressor early in the second half and turned up their defensive intensity. They forced 11 Samford turnovers in the half and held the Dogs to just 32 points. Julian Brown found his offensive game in the half as he scored 10 of his 15 points, including timely shots, none bigger than his three-pointer later in overtime.   

Samford had to hold on in much of the second half without leading scorer Collin Holloway who was battling foul trouble along with fellow forward Brownell as both would ultimately foul out. Down the stretch, the Dogs left a few points at the line to keep the door ajar for the home side. A late 6-0 run got the Lions within two and a layup with 4 seconds left tied the game, sending it to overtime.

The extra five minutes of play stayed tight throughout as the two teams traded baskets. With the Lions up two, Brown buried a huge three to put the Dogs up one. A Rylan Jones crafty layup followed by Josh Holloway knocking down a pair of free throws against a hostile crowd put the game away for good for Samford as they escaped with a one-point win after a late UNA layup. 

Overall, the shooting performance was a good sign for the Bulldogs as they shot 50 percent from the floor overall and 38 percent from three, both above their season averages. Uncharacteristically for the Bulldogs, they committed more turnovers than they forced, 21-14. Brownell and Fort led the Bulldogs in rebounding as they pulled down eight and seven respectively. 

Samford has a quick turnaround as they are back in action at home this Sunday. The Bulldogs will host a 1-3 Texas Southern side who has tested themselves against Georgia and Georgia Tech this past week. The game will be at the Pete Hanna Center at 2 p.m. as the first of a Bulldogs men's and women's basketball doubleheader.

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