Nov. 19, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University basketball team will play the second game of its current three-game homestand on Thursday at 7 p.m., as the Bulldogs welcome the Campbellsville Tigers to the Pete Hanna Center for a non-conference matchup.

Fans unable to attend the matchup in person can listen live to Samford's broadcast on WVSU 91.1 FM or via the internet at www.samford.edu/groups/wvsu.

Samford (1-1) heads into Thursday's contest with an undefeated record at home this season. On Monday, the Bulldogs held their 2008-09 Pete Hanna Center opener and cruised to a 72-52 victory against the Spring Hill College Badgers.

In the lopsided win, Samford was led in scoring by sophomore guards Josh Bedwell and Josh Davis. The pair combined for 36 of the team's 72 points and knocked down 10 three-point baskets. Collectively, Bedwell and Davis attempted 12 shots from beyond the arc and made 10 for a phenomenal 83.3 shooting percentage.

Against Spring Hill, Bedwell paced the Bulldogs with a career-high 24 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field. Samford's 6-foot sharpshooter from Hartselle, Ala., was also 7-of-8 from 3-point range. Bedwell's performance from beyond the arc was the best of his collegiate career.

Bedwell knocked down his first seven 3-pointers of Monday's contest and Davis made the first three of his attempts from beyond the arc.

Davis, Samford's 6-foot-4 guard from Lubbock, Texas, finished with 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting and turned in a 3-of-4 outing from long range. He also grabbed four rebounds and handed out a pair of assists.

Campbellsville (1-2) enters Thursday's matchup with aspirations of ending a two-game losing streak.

The Tigers opened their 2008-09 season with a 78-74 home victory against Mid-Continent College on Nov. 8, but have since dropped consecutive games versus AU-Montgomery, 83-73 (2OT), and Faulkner University, 59-57.

Campbellsville's top scorer this season is senior forward Zach Allender. The 6-foot-7 native of Bardstown, Ky., is averaging 20.3 points per game. He is followed in scoring by senior guard Aaron Wyatt (13.7 ppg) and freshman forward Justin Vitatoe (10 ppg).

The Bulldogs head into Monday's game with a 2-0 all-time record against the Campbellsville Tigers.

The limited series between the teams began during the 1975-76 season as Samford earned an 87-71 victory at the Kentucky Wesleyan Invitational on Dec. 17. More recently, the Bulldogs defeated the Tigers 91-56 on Dec. 29, 2005, in Seibert Hall.

Samford's Curtis West, then a sophomore, scored 10 points on 3-of-4 shooting versus Campbellsville in the 2005 matchup. In the game, West came off the bench and also pulled down four rebounds in 22 minutes of play.

In Samford's sophisticated and unique version of the "Princeton Offense", head coach Jimmy Tillette generally prefers to redshirt his players for a season before they begin to see game action as redshirt freshmen. The extra year is beneficial for the players as they use the season to practice with the team and learn the offense.

Heading into this season, Josh Bedwell, Josh Davis and West were the only returning players on the roster who were not redshirted as freshmen.

For the second straight year, Tillette has made it known that he doesn't have any qualms about letting his freshman class earn some playing time. The 2008-09 freshman class consists of Kaylin Johnson, Jeffrey Merritt and John Peterson. All three of the Bulldogs' highly-touted freshmen have already earned playing time this season.

Following Thursday's matchup against Campbellsville, the Samford University basketball team will next be in action Monday at 7 p.m., as the Bulldogs conclude their three-game homestand against the Lipscomb Bisons in the Pete Hanna Center.

Samford Basketball Game Notes