Nov 25, 2002

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-- Freshman J. Robert Merritt lead four Bulldogs in double figures with a career-high 15 points as Samford picked up its first win of the season 70-61 over Arkansas State at Seibert Hall. With the win, head coach Jimmy Tillette passed John Brady for the most wins by any Samford coach with his 90th victory in just over five years.

"I appreciate the significant contribution of all my players and the people around me," said Tillette of the record. "For me it is like being named the tallest person in the sixth grade, if you stick around long enough it will happen."

J. Robert Merritt scored 15 points in his first start as a Bulldog

Merritt made his first start as a Bulldog memorable as he went 5-7 from the floor, 3-4 from three-point range, and 2-3 from the free throw line for a team-high 15 points in 32 minutes of action. Phillip Ramelli scored 14 points on 5-6 shooting and he was 4-4 from the line. Tyson Dorsey and Jon Mills each scored 13 points for Samford that improved to 1-1 on the season. The Bulldogs shot 53 percent from the floor making 20 of 38 shots. The most impressive stat of the night is that Samford had 20 assists on 20 made baskets led by Cornell Felton who had seven assists.

"For me it is like being named the tallest person in the sixth grade, if you stick around long enough it will happen." Jimmy Tillette on becoming the winningest coach in Samford history

Arkansas State dropped to 1-1 on the season. Tevoris Thompson had a game-high 19 points. Paris London, Antonio Rambo, and Tony Brown all had 11 points for the Indians who jumped out to an 11-2 lead early in the game. Cold shooting proved costly for Arkansas State as the Indians shot just 38 percent from the floor and 17 percent from three-point range.

"Arkansas State has a tremendous amount of talent," said Tillette. "Tonight was a great opportunity for us to grow as a team. I was especially proud of J. Robert (Merritt) in his effort. He has a chance to be a special player. I was also pleased by the way we crashed the boards, especially the guards."

Samford out-rebounded the Indians 30-25 after being out-rebounded by 13 against Chattanooga in its opener on Friday. Along with their great shooting from the floor, the Bulldogs shot 79 percent (19-24) from the foul line to not allow Arkansas State a chance to get back into the game late.

After ASU took the early lead, Samford went on a 17-7 run to takes its first lead of the game 19-18 with 7:38 remaining in the first half. The lead was short lived as Thompson nailed a three-pointer to put the Indians back on top. Dorsey would connect on the three-pointer with 4:09 to play in the half to put Samford up 24-23 and the Bulldogs would never trail again.

Samford took a 30-25 lead into halftime. After the break, Samford went on a 7-2 run to push the lead to 10 points with 17:47 to play. The Bulldogs would lead by as many as 15 points on three occasions. The Indians would pull to within seven with 5:20 to play but that would be as close as the Indians would come. Samford will return to action on Wednesday for a 2 p.m. tip-off against North Georgia. It will mark the Bulldogs last home game of 2002. Samford won't play at Seibert Hall until it faces Belmont on Jan. 4.