All is Right Again, Samford Takes Down ETSU
Well everyone, all's right with the world. Samford bounces back from the Furman loss to take down ETSU, 75-72. The Bulldogs found a way and that is what good teams do, especially on the road. You know what else also helps on the road? Having senior leaders who have been there before to step up in key moments.
ETSU tied it up at 62 with 4:00 left in the game. ETSU just hit a big three to tie it and Samford guard Rylan Jones responded in a big way with consecutive three pointers. Jaden Campbell got fouled on the next possession and made two free throws. Following an ESTU score, Nathan Johnson banked in a three to push the Samford lead to nine.
Throughout this season, different players have been answering the bell and leading Samford to victory. Today that was senior forward Nathan Johnson. Johnson led Samford with 18 points and was perfect from beyond the three-point arc, 4-for-4. Samford only made eight threes as a team and Johnson had half of those.
While the outside shot for the majority was not falling, Samford had 40 of their 75 points in the paint. Samford did not dictate the pace of the game as much as normal do but still forced 12 turnovers.
Samford also had to battle Achor Achor’s early foul trouble and once again Riley Allenspach stepped up. Allenspach had eight first half points after Achor was out for the vast majority of the half.
Overall, thought the team played well defensively for the most part and were able to get stops when it mattered most. ETSU made some big time shots to slow Samford runs and eventually tie the game back up.
It was Samford’s senior leadership which made sure the team did not let this one slip away. This was especially important coming off of the loss on Wednesday night. That is one theme with this team, outside of that Furman game. They do not let big runs from opponents and loud atmospheres slow them down. This is a great characteristic for a team to have especially when March comes around.
Big road contests at Chattanooga and UNCG await but first Samford is back home against Wofford. Step Sing will be over with and every student should be there Wednesday night. I’ll be there. You should be there too.
