GAME NOTES -- SAMFORD at VMI (1/1)

LEXINGTON, Va. - The Samford men's basketball team returns from the holiday break and begins Southern Conference play by heading to VMI on New Year's Day. Tip against the Keydets is set to noon central as the Bulldogs enter with a 7-6 record while VMI carries a 5-8 mark on the year.

The Bulldogs and the Keydets are meeting for the 27th time, with Samford leading the all-time series 21-5. The Dogs are coming off an 85-49 home victory against Reinhardt on Dec. 19. Samford was without leading scorers Keaton Norris and Jadin Booth against the Eagles. Starting center Dylan Faulkner dominated the paint, scoring 15 points in 19 minutes. The Bulldogs were forced to go deep into their bench and got strong production. Judson Bjornstad scored a season-high 16 points, and Zach Lamey added 14 off the bench for the Dogs.

 With the win over Reinhardt, the Bulldogs move their record to 7-6 and are back over .500 for the first time since they were 3-2 after defeating Central Arkansas on Nov. 16. The matchup against the Keydets features the top two scorers in the conference, Samford's Jadin Booth, who scores 18.6 ppg, and VMI's TJ Johnson, who scores 18.8 ppg. Samford has won three straight Southern Conference season openers. The Dogs are on a seven-game winning streak against the Keydets.

VMI enters the game with a 5-8 record on the season and is coming off a 97-90 defeat at Radford before the break. The Keydets are 4-1 at home this season, with their lone defeat being a two-point loss to Jacksonville. Head coach Andrew Wilson is in his fourth season with the Keydets, leading VMI to a 15-19 record last year. VMI was picked to finish sixth in the SoCon Preseason Coaches Poll and is led by TJ Johnson, who scores 18.8 points per game.

The game can be seen on ESPN+ here, and live stats can be followed here. 

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).