March 17, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - In a distinguished list released by the NCAA on Monday, Samford's Travis Peterson ended the 2007-08 campaign as one of only eight players in the nation to lead his team in points, rebounds and assists per game. The Bulldogs' 6-foot-10 center averaged 13.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists this season.

Peterson, Samford's senior from Glendale, Ariz., concluded the 2007-08 campaign as the only center in the nation to lead his team in all three major offensive categories. He was also the only player in the country taller than 6-foot-6 to accomplish the feat.

A force on the defensive half of the court as well, Peterson also paced the Bulldogs with 41 blocks this season.

Peterson finished his illustrious four-year Samford career with 1,121 points, the 16th-highest total in school history. He was a staple in the Bulldogs' starting lineup since the 2005 season and became the 21st player in school history to reach the prestigious 1,000-point plateau.

Peterson earned Second-Team All-OVC honors as a senior and was named the team's Most Outstanding Offensive player. As a two-time All-OVC preseason selection, he compiled over 400 career rebounds and started in 88 of the team's last 93 games.

Joining Peterson on Monday's prestigious list were most notably Sundiata Gaines from Georgia and Mike Green from Butler. Quinnipiac's DeMario Anderson was also included, as well as Dartmouth's Alex Barnett, Idaho's Jordan Brooks, IUPUI's George Hill and VMI's Reggie Williams.

The Samford University basketball team concluded its 2007-08 season with a 14-16 overall record and a 10-10 mark in OVC play. The Bulldogs earned a No. 5 seed in the OVC Tournament and qualified for its 15th-consecutive postseason tournament.

Next year, Samford will be without the efforts of record-setting seniors Peterson and Joe Ross Merritt, but will basically return five players with significant experience in the starting lineup.

Josh Bedwell and Josh Davis both started regularly for the Bulldogs this season as true freshmen, and sophomores Trey Montgomery and Bryan Friday will also return in 2008-09. Samford will also receive a boost from two-year starter Curtis West, who is expected to be back in the starting lineup after being forced to redshirt this season with an injured shoulder.

2008 NCAA Basketball
Team Leaders in Points, Rebounds and Assists

Player, School, Ht., Yr., Pos., PPG, RPG, APG
DeMario Anderson, Quinnipiac, 6-4, Sr., G, 21.7, 6.5, 3.3
Alex Barnett, Dartmouth, 6-6, Jr., F, 15.6, 7.3, 2.2
Jordan Brooks, Idaho, 6-3, Jr., F, 12.4, 6.2, 4.7
Sundiata Gaines, Georgia, 6-1, Sr., G, 14.8, 6.1, 4.2
Mike Green, Butler, 6-1, Sr., G, 14.9, 6.6, 5.1
George Hill, IUPUI, 6-2, Jr., G, 21.5, 6.8, 4.3
Travis Peterson, Samford, 6-10, Sr., C, 13.2, 4.7, 3.6
Reggie Williams, VMI, 6-6, Sr., F, 27.8, 9.7, 3.9