Dec. 29, 2001

Box Score

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Phillip Ramelli scored a career-high 20 points and Chris Weaver added 16 but their efforts weren't enough as Eastern Washington defeated Samford 59-48 in the consolation game of the Hoosier Classic at Conseco Fieldhouse on Saturday.

Samford (7-4) never led in the game and trailed by as many as 11 in the second half. The Bulldogs again struggled from the three-point line, shooting 21 percent for the second straight game along with 41 percent from the field overall. Eastern Washington (6-8) shot 43 percent from the field and was led by Jason Humbert's double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds. Two other Eagles scored in double figures, Chris Hester chipping in 13 points and Jason Lewis added 11 points. Turnovers again plagued the Bulldogs, Samford committing 20 to only 12 for the Eagles. Rebounds were even at 29 a piece.

Samford shot 52 percent from the field in the second half but knocked down only four of 12 three-pointers. The Bulldogs struggled behind the arc in both games of the Classic, making a combined nine of 37 (.243) in their games with Butler and Eastern Washington. After trailing 45-35 with 7:43 remaining in the game, Samford cut the lead to four on three different occasions but could get no closer. EWU scored the last seven points of the game, five from the free throw line and the other a layup by Hester.

The game started slowly, as neither team scored a basket for the first two minutes of the game. Samford trailed 3-0 when Chris Weaver's layup cut the lead to 3-2, bringing the Bulldogs as close as they would get to the Eagles for the rest of the game. EWU responded with a 9-0 run to lead by 12-2, but the Bulldogs would cut the lead again to 18-15 on a free throw by Eddie Harper. EWU finished the last four minutes of the first half with a 9-2 run and took a 27-17 lead into halftime. Samford never looked comfortable from behind the arc the entire game, making only 1 of 11 three-point attempts to shoot nine percent in the first half.

Samford returns to action on Jan. 2, hosting Atlantic Sun rival Jacksonville State at 5:30 p.m. at Seibert Hall in Birmingham. The game will be televised on Charter Sports Southeast and on radio on WVSU-FM 91.1.