CULLOWHEE, N.C. - The Samford men's basketball team continued play on the road in the Southern Conference today against Western Carolina. The Bulldogs led for the majority of the day as they captured an 88-74 victory to sweep the Catamounts this season. Samford's record moves to 11-12 overall with the win and 4-6 in league play.

Both sides looked good on the offensive end in the opening 20 minutes of play. Samford was led by Dylan Faulkner, who got the Dogs an early lead by scoring 14 of his game-high 23 points in the first half. He went 8-of-12 from the floor and 7-for-12 at the free-throw line and pulled down 10 rebounds as he captured his sixth double-double of the season and third straight game. 

Samford shot 46 percent from the field while the home side matched by shooting 48 percent. Kam Martin provided the Dogs a spark off the bench as he scored all nine of his points in the first half. After 20 minutes of play, the Bulldogs led 41-39.

The game and second half were one of the most balanced offensive performances the Bulldogs have had this season. Five players scored in double figures, but as usual, Faulkner and Jadin Booth led the way. Booth got just eight shots in the game but finished with 18 points as he knocked down three shots from deep. Freshman Isaiah Campbell-Finch scored 13 points, and Zion Wilburn added 11 points while the duo each knocked down a pair of threes. Cade Norris finished with 10 points, scoring eight in the second half as Samford built its lead to as many as 20 points.

The Bulldogs held WCU to just 32 percent shooting in the second half, defending the three-point line, holding the home side to 2-of-17 from deep. Meanwhile, Samford shot 55 percent in the second half and went to the line 26 times. The Dogs won the rebounding battle 42-29 as they took care of their defensive glass.

The win moves Samford up into a tie for sixth place in the conference standings. They now return home for a three-game home stand, starting by hosting The Citadel who sit one game ahead of the Dogs in the SoCon standings. The game is set to tip at 7 p.m. on Thursday night in the Pete Hanna Center as The Citadel enters with an 8-15 record.

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