BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford men's basketball team returned home to host the Cornell Big Red tonight. The Bulldogs played just their third game inside the Pete Hanna Center, and used a second-half comeback to overcome a 15-point deficit on their way to a 93-90 victory. Samford's record moves to 5-6 after the win, while Cornell falls to 5-5 on the season.

Playing their first home game since Nov. 19, the Bulldogs faced a talented Cornell team that is one of the best shooting teams in the country. An offensive opening half saw both teams shoot the ball in the first 20 minutes of play. Each side shot 47 percent from the floor, but the visitors had the big advantage on the offensive glass, 10 rebounds, which allowed them to take six extra shots in the half. The Big Red shot 39 percent from three, 7-of-18, while the Bulldogs were just 4-of-14 from deep.

Eight different Dogs scored in the first half, led by Jadin Booth, who had 12 points at the break. Cade Norris had eight of his 13 points in the opening half, while Kam Martin scored five off the bench. The Cornell second unit was strong as they outscored the Samford bench 22-8. A high-scoring first 20 minutes of play saw the Bulldogs trail their visitors 50-42 at the half.

The second half was arguably Samford's best performance of the season. They shot 64 percent from the field, and were carried by the combo of Dylan Faulkner and Booth, who scored 17 and 18, respectively, in the second 20 minutes of play. 

Through six minutes of play in the second half, Cornell had grown their advantage up to 15 points. The Samford defense rose to the occasion as they worked their way back into the game, holding Cornell to just 38 percent in the second half. Samford trailed 63-48, but they went on a run over the next five minutes that tied the game at 67. After a career-high performance at VCU in Samford's last game, Faulkner bested that performance by going 9-of-10 from the field and finishing with 23 points and 12 rebounds. 

The Bulldogs went up by six points with three minutes left, but Cornell battled back to tie the game at 84 with just over a minute left. Then, with 44 seconds remaining, Booth hit the shot of the night as his step-back three from the left wing fell to give Samford the lead for good.

Once again, the Dogs struggled from three, going just 6-of-21 but they made up for it by scoring 46 points in the paint. Despite scoring just two points, Zion Wilburn was a plus-13 off the bench as he provided defense and six rebounds in his 17 minutes of play. Starting point guard Keaton Norris finished with nine points and seven assists in his 34 minutes. 

The Dogs now have a nice break before they return to action for two home games against non-division I opponents. They host Bryan on Dec. 15 followed by Reinhardt on Dec. 19 in the Pete Hanna Center. 

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