Bulldogs Down VMI In SoCon Opener

Thursday, January 1

Lexington, VA

12 PM

Samford University

8-6,1-0SoCon

VMI

5-9,0-1SoCon

Team	1	2	F
Samford	34	44	78
VMI	36	22	58

Game Notes

1.1.26 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

LEXINGTON, Va. - The Samford men's basketball team opened Southern Conference play on the road this afternoon as they faced VMI. The Bulldogs used a dominant second half to down the Keydets 78-58 and move to 8-6 overall, and 1-0 in SoCon play on the season.

After a nearly two-week break for the Dogs, they got off to a slow start offensively in the first half. Samford shot just 11-of-29 from the field and 5-of-15 from behind the arc in the opening 20 minutes as they trailed for the majority of the opening half. Dylan Faulkner led the way as he had nine points and eight rebounds, while Cade Norris had seven points as he went 2-of-2 from three.

The home side shot it similarly from the floor, 12-of-30, as they led by as many as nine points. Isaiah Campbel-Finch knocked down a three before the first half buzzer as the Dogs went into the half down 36-34.

The second 20 minutes of play was dominated by the Bulldogs as they outscored VMI 44-22. Samford went 15-of-27 from the field in the half and shot 5-of-9 from three as they went on a 24-0 run over seven minutes of play in the second half.

Faulkner exploded in the second half for the Bulldogs as they figured out the Keydets' zone defense. The Bulldog center finished with a career-high 25 points and 12 rebounds as he went 9-of-15 from the floor. After scoring just three points in the opening half, Jadin Booth scored 16 in the second half on 5-for-5 shooting. Keaton Norris reached double figures with 11 points while adding five rebounds and assists.

The dominating second half for the Bulldogs left them in firm control of the game for much of the second half as VMI shot just 28 percent from the floor in the second 20 minutes of play and were. 2-of-18 from three. The Dogs had 22 assists to just 8 turnovers and won the battle on the backboard as they cruised to a 20-point win to open league play.

The Bulldogs stay on the road and are back in action on Saturday afternoon when they face UNCG. The Spartans are 4-9 on their season so far, and open SoCon play at home against Chattanooga later this afternoon.

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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).