Samford Storms Back on National TV, Beats Chattanooga
What a basketball game as Samford storms back from a 11 point halftime deficit to get the 73-69 win over Chattanooga. It was just another classic, grind it out, kind of game in the Southern Conference that we come to expect. Samford’s grit and toughness showed through in the second half making life tough for the Mocs.
Chattanooga did not make a three point shot in the second half going 0-for-9 as Samford ramped up the defensive intensity. The Mocs finished the game going 1-for-13 from behind the three point line. They also missed six key free throws.
Jaden Brownell led Samford in scoring with 20 points as he hit some clutch free throws to end up giving Samford the four point win. Samford ended up winning the rebounding margin as well.
To put it bluntly, the vibes in the first half were not good. Samford could not generate offense and Chattanooga was getting whatever they wanted offensively. Trey Fort had two points, Rylan Jones was scoreless. Samford was in danger of getting run out of the gym.
Riley Allenspach did play some big minutes in the first half has he had 10 points while playing just six minutes.
Then in the second half, everything changed. Samford was extremely active defensively in the half court meanwhile they were generating offense. The Bulldogs continue to find different ways to win as Samford finished with 40 paint points while making just five threes.
Josh Holloway played some massive minutes tonight. Holloway may have played his best overall game as a Samford Bulldogs. He filled up the stat sheet finishing with 10 points, five rebounds, and five assists in 28 minutes of action. Those 28 minutes matched his season high for minutes.
Rylan Jones finished with seven points, six assists, and five rebounds.
Throughout the whole game, Samford limited Frank Champion and Honor Huff. Champion finished with just eight points and Huff had 11. Samford’s second half defense was stifling and Chattanooga could not get the offense going. Samford started to string together stops and get scores.
In the last 12 minutes of the second half, Samford started to string together defensive stops with scores on the other end. In the final few minutes, Samford head coach Bucky McMillan would tell his team when they were on defense “One stop. One stop.” while holding his finger up.
This loss has to be crushing for Chattanooga, Samford has now won the last three matchups in the series. The Mocs had won their previous three games coming from behind in two of those. Samford did what Chattanooga did in those two games. Their star duo of Honor Huff and Trey Bonham finished a combined 2-13 from behind the arc.
No matter the deficit, no matter the obstacles, you have to find a way to win. Samford did just that tonight in a loud McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga. Much of the talk after Samford’s loss to ETSU was, “hey the SoCon is wide open.”
That may be the case but as Samford proved in this comeback, everyone is looking up at them. Such is life as the hunted, Samford and their Winter Soldier know everyone is going to give them their best shot. You come at the King, you best not miss.
