GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Samford men's basketball team traveled to face UNCG today in the final game of their regular season in the Southern Conference. With the winner of the game earning the number two seed in the conference tournament, the Bulldogs couldn't slow down the Spartan offense as they fell 108-100. Samford falls to 22-9 after the defeat and 12-6 in SoCon play while UNCG moves to 20-11.

Both teams got off to a fast start in the opening half, as each offense was efficient from the floor but the Spartans outpaced the Dogs from the three-point line. The home side was hot from deep in the whole game, particularly in the opening half as they knocked down 8-of-14 attempts. Samford shot 50 percent from the field, 11-of-22, but was just 3-of-10 from three. They were able to capitalize from the free throw line as they got their 21 times and converted on 15. 

The Spartans had no issue dealing with the Bulldog press which had forced at least 20 turnovers in back-to-back games as they had just two in the first half and seven for the game. UNCG also took advantage of the Dogs on the glass as they outscored Samford 13-0 in second-chance points in the half and 25-8 for the game. 

Josh Holloway and Jaden Brownell led the way offensively early as they each had 12 points in the opening half but the Bulldogs trailed 52-40 at the break.

It was more of the same to start the second half as UNCG led by as many as 24 in the second half as Samford had no answer to stop them defensively. The Dogs showed good fight to battle back in the game and cut it to single digits late but truly never threatened to complete the comeback.

Samford was forced to create extra possessions in the game as each side went to the free-throw line often, each team over 40 times. The home side shot over 57 percent in the second half as the Dogs tried to make the game hectic. Trey Fort came to life in the second half as he scored 20 of his game-high 29 points while also adding eight rebounds. Josh Holloway finished with 23 points for Samford while Brownell had 17 and no other player reached double-figures. 

The Bulldogs outscored UNCG 60-56 in the second half but they dug themselves too big of a hole to come out of as the Spartans were strong on the night across the board.

Up next, the Bulldogs will head to Asheville, N.C. for the SoCon Tournament. After winning the tournament last year as the one seed, the Dogs will enter as the No. 4 seed in the event and matchup with Furman in the opening round on Sat. March 8 at 8:30 p.m. The Paladins defeated Samford both times they met in the regular season and carry a 23-8 record into postseason play.



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