BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford men's basketball team returned home for their final week of the regular season as they hosted VMI in the Pete Hanna Center. The Bulldogs used a late run to pull away from the Keydets and earn an 80-61 win to take their home-winning streak to five games. Samford's record moves to 17-13 overall and 10-7 in league play.

The Bulldogs came out of the gates quickly, jumping up on VMI to a 10-2 lead, but the Keydets battled back and led by as many as six points in the first half. Dylan Faulkner paced the Dogs with 10 first-half points as he went 3-for-3 from the floor and 4-of-4 from the line, finishing the game a perfect 10-for-10. Keaton and Cade Norris were solid in the first 20 minutes of play as they each added eight points. 

Samford struggled for extended stretches against the VMI matchup zone, as they took away Jadin Booth, who was scoreless in the first half. The Bulldogs shot 46 percent from the field while VMI countered with 41 percent, and each side was even from three, but seven Samford turnovers gave the Keydets extra possessions they used to tie the game at 36 at the half.

Entering as a big favorite, the Bulldogs were unable to shake VMI. Samford trailed at the 11-minute mark until Booth knocked down back-to-back threes to put the Dogs ahead. The Bulldogs shot 54 percent from the floor in the second half and 46 percent from beyond the arc, but the visitors stayed within striking distance. With just over four minutes remaining, Samford led 62-60, and from that point, the home side completely took over. The Bulldogs held VMI without a field goal for the remainder of the game, outscoring the Keydets 18-1 down the stretch. Keaton Norris provided the dagger with his fifth three-pointer of the night, pushing the lead to double digits.

Dylan Faulkner powered Samford with 22 points and 11 rebounds, setting a new career high with 10 made free throws on 10 attempts and recording his 13th double-double of the year. Keaton Norris finished with 17 points on 5-of-7 shooting from three, tying his personal best in made threes. Cade Norris delivered a career-high six assists with no turnovers, adding 12 points and seven rebounds in a complete effort. Off the bench, Zion Wilburn reached a personal milestone by surpassing 100 career points, chipping in 12 points and three assists. Six Bulldogs finished in double figures as Booth finished with 10 points tonight.

The Bulldogs sit in a three-way tie for third going into their final game of the season. Samford hosts UNCG on Saturday at the Pete Hanna Center with tip set for 5 p.m. The Spartans have a 13-17 record on the season and are coming off a win against Chattanooga tonight.



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