Nov. 13, 2000

Senior forward Marc Salyers scored 23 second-half points and Samford shot 71 percent from the field in the second period as the Bulldogs defeated VASDA USA 101-76 in exhibition basketball action at Seibert Hall Monday.

Salyers led the Bulldogs with 29 points and six assists and Chris Weaver added 21 points and eight rebounds as Samford poured in 64 second-half points. The Bulldogs used a 15-0 run, 12 points coming from seniors Salyers, Derrick Jones and Gabe Skypala, to distance itself from VASDA midway through the second period. Samford exploded from a 61-57 to 76-57 advantage in the span of two minutes and 10 seconds as Weaver sparked the run with a made basket and free throw. Skypala added a three-pointer and a pair of free throws, Jones sunk two free throws and Salyers scored five on a dunk, a layup and a pair of free throws during that stretch. Jones finished with nine points, four rebounds five assists and Corey Green scored 16 as the third Bulldog in double figures.

"The first half was a combination of poor defense on our part and good offense on their part," said Samford Head Coach Jimmy Tillette. "In the second half we were a lot more assertive, had more energy, and the people we consider leaders stepped up.

"I thought several of our guys played very well. Obviously Marc, but also Corey Green, Chris Weaver, Derrick Jones and Gabe Skypala until he said something and got himself a technical foul. Defensively we were forced to play a lot of zone because we were picking up too many fouls, so we still need some work on our defense. This team will rise and fall this season on its defense."

VASDA led most of the first half, shooting 58 percent from the field while holding Samford to 38 percent on 12-of-31 shooting. Former Wake Forest guard Steve Goolsby hit a three-pointer to give VASDA its largest lead of the game, 43-34, with 33 seconds remaining before intermission. Samford freshman Tyson Dorsey answered with a three-pointer for the Bulldogs with three seconds remaining cut VASDA's halftime lead to six, 43-37. Goolsby and former Arkansas Razorback Roger Crawford led VASDA in the first half, Goolsby scoring nine points and Crawford eight. Five players finished in double figures for VASDA, Goolsby leading the team with 12 points.

Samford opens its regular season on the road against Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday at 7 p.m. Scott Griffin and Mike Royer will have the call on WAPI-AM 1070 beginning at 6:45 p.m. (CDT).