Feb. 28, 2003

Box Score

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Jon Mills scored 16 points to lead three Bulldogs in double figures but Samford could not overcome a 20-point first half deficit and fell to Belmont 72-64 in the regular season finale Friday night.

Adam Mark scored 21 points as he passed the 1,000-point mark of his career and Adam Sonn had 19 points and 12 rebounds as Belmont (17-11, 12-4 Atlantic Sun) used a 12-0 run to open a 16-4 lead in the first six minutes of the game. Samford head coach Jimmy Tillette was whistled for a technical foul at the 14:28 mark of the first half. Steve Drabyn made both free throws and Wil Howard-Downs hit a three-pointer to complete a five point trip. The Bruins led by as many as 37-17 with 3:09 left in the first half matching Samford's largest deficit during conference play.

Samford (13-14, 9-7 A-Sun) did not make a three-pointer in the first half for the first time this season. J. Robert Merritt hit a three-pointer to start the second half to keep the Bulldogs streak of 351 games with a 3-pointer alive.

Cornell Felton and Eddie Harper led the second half charge as Felton finished with 14 points and Harper scored 13 points. Samford pulled to within six points at 54-48 on a pair of Phillip Ramelli free throws with 5:38 to play.

Felton made a steal and a lay-up with 59 seconds to play to bring the Bulldogs to within five points at 66-61. Belmont made nine of 10 free throws down the stretch that did not allow Samford to get any closer.

Belmont shot 45 percent from the floor and forced 18 Samford turnovers. and held a 21-14 advantage in points off turnovers. The Bruins held a 33-29 rebounding advantage and had 11 offensive rebounds.

Samford shot 51 percent for the game but only 26 percent from three-point range. The Bulldogs will finish third in the A-Sun North and will earn the number six seed in the A-sun Tournament to be held in Atlanta next week.