CANCUN, Mexico - The Samford men's basketball team opened up the Cancun Challenge this afternoon with a game against Georgia State. Despite being down two starters, the Bulldogs pulled off a 78-63 win where they controlled the game for the majority of the night. Samford moves their record to 4-4 on the season with the victory. 

The Bulldogs faced a Georgia State team out of the Sun Belt Conference, down two players in Keaton Norris and Jadin Booth. Without the starting back court that averages 33 points per game, the Dogs went to a starting lineup for the first time that featured freshman Isaiah Campbell-Finch and Kam Martin. The pair would go on to score 12 and 11 points, respectively, and pull the strings in the Samford offense. 

The game was tight for the opening ten minutes of play when a Campbell-Finch three put the Dogs up 18-16. Samford would never trail again as they were efficient from the floor in the first 20 minutes of play, shooting 50 percent from the floor. Dylan Faulkner was saddled with two fouls and was forced to sit much of the first half, but Jaxon Pollard stepped up in a huge way, scoring 16 points and pulling down nine rebounds off the bench. The Dogs led by as many as 10 in the half, but went into the break up 37-32.

Down their two best three-point shooters, the Dogs got their work done at the basket as they went just 7-of-22 from three but went 17-of-28 from inside the arc. The second half was dominated by Faulkner down on the block, scoring 14 of his game-high 19 points in the second 20 minutes of play. His 19-point performance tied a career high for the Samford junior.

It was the Bulldog's best defensive performance of the season as they limited the Panthers to just 26 percent from the floor and 21 percent from three, both season-best marks for them defensively. With Faulkner and Pollard working inside, the Bulldogs reached the bonus early in the second half, and along with the Panthers fouling late to extend the game, they went 19-of-26 from the line in the second half. The Dogs quickly extended their lead to double-digits early in the second half, and it never fell below eight points as they cruised to the 15-point win.

Cade Norris started once again and was leaned on in a bigger role and delivered a 13-point and eight-rebound performance in 38 minutes of play. Five Bulldog players reached double-figures on the game, and as a team they finished shooting 48 percent from the floor.

The Bulldogs have another quick turnaround as they are back in action tomorrow night. They will face a Utah Valley side at 6 p.m. that enters their game today with a 3-2 record on the season. 

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).