Jan 7, 2002

Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Phillip Ramelli scored 15 points and Samford used some timely free-throw shooting in the final minute Monday to post a 65-58 win over Jacksonville.

The Bulldogs (9-6, 6-1 Atlantic Sun) never trailed after Jon Mills hit the team's first three-point shot attempt in the game's opening two minutes.

Jacksonville (10-5, 4-2 A-Sun) entered the contest one game behind Samford (9-6, 6-1), but fell behind by as many as 22 in the second half before Fresno State transfer Travis Robinson heated up. Robinson led JU on a 30-17 run in the last nine a half minutes of the game, as he knocked down six three pointers in a span of eight minutes and the Dolphins shot 7-for-12 in the last nine minutes to make a run at the Bulldogs. The push wasn't enough, however, as Corey Green knocked down a big three-pointer with 2:53 remaining in the game and the Bulldogs made nine of 10 free throws in the final minute to seal the win. The loss also snapped JU's 12-game home winning streak and their most recent four-game streak.

"We knew going in that Jacksonville was a very imposing team," said Samford Head coach Jimmy Tillette. "To honest I thought we got them in the first half, but they made a nice run at us in the last few minutes of the game. Everyone contributed in this win, as we had three guys in double figures and nine of the 10 guys in double-digit minutes.

"This is as good a road trip as we've had in a long time," Tillette added. "I have to credit Paul Kelly and Mike Morris for their scouts on these games with Stetson and Jacksonville, because they had them right on. We can only enjoy this win for a short time, however, as we have to get home and start preparing for Belmont on Saturday."

Chris Weaver added 13 points and tied Jon Mills for the team lead with four assists. The Bulldogs bench added 16 points, as Eddie Harper scored in double digits for the second straight game with 11 and Will Gardner scored three points and Bryan Boerjan added two. Corey Green scored nine points and grabbed a team-high four rebounds and Mills also added eight points. Cornell Felton also added four points and three assists. JU's Robinson led all scorers with 18 points and was the only Dolphin in double figures.

Samford finished the game shooting 57 percent from the field and 46 percent from the three-point line. The Bulldogs committed only eight turnovers to 16 assists and forced 16 miscues by the Dolphins. Samford held JU to 42 percent shooting from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc. JU outrebounded the Bulldogs 33-19, including 14 offensive rebounds.

The Bulldogs executed their offense well in the first half, shooting 62 percent (15-24) from the field and 62 percent from the three-point line (5-8). Samford knocked down at least 60 percent from the field and from beyond the arc for the third straight half, which began at Stetson on Jan. 5. Harper came off the bench to lead a balanced Bulldogs attack in the first 20 minutes, scoring nine points. Weaver scored eight first half points, followed by seven from Ramelli, six from Mills, a three-pointer from Will Gardner and two from Cornell Felton.

Samford held JU to 39 percent shooting from the field and 33 percent from the three-point line. Kevin Sheppard scored six to lead the Dolphins in the first half and Warner and Jones scored four each.