Nov. 27, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University basketball team will face its toughest challenge of the young 2008-09 season on Saturday at 11 a.m. (CST) as the Bulldogs square off against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena (19,049) in Columbus, Ohio. The non-conference matchup will be televised live by the Big Ten Network.

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

On the Big Ten Network, the matchup will be broadcast live by Tom Hamilton and Tony White along with sideline reporter Katie Whitham.

Samford (3-1) heads into Saturday's contest riding the positive momentum of a three-game winning streak. After suffering a season-opening defeat to three-straight NCAA Tournament participant Belmont on Nov. 14, the Bulldogs have rattled off consecutive home victories against Spring Hill 72-52, Campbellsville 73-54 and Lipscomb 57-50.

In Samford's most recent win over Lipscomb on Monday, junior forward Bryan Friday tied a career-high with 20 points en route to leading the Bulldogs to their come-from-behind victory. Friday, Samford's 6-foot-6 native of Grapevine, Texas, scored 18 of his game-high 20 points in the second half of play.

Ohio State (2-0) enters Saturday's game with an undefeated record. So far this season, the Buckeyes have picked up home victories against Delaware State 70-42 and Bowling Green 61-57.

In its hard-fought win over Bowling Green on Monday, Ohio State was led in scoring by sophomore guard Jon Diebler. Diebler finished the game with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field. The Buckeyes' Evan Turner also added 12 points and eight rebounds in the victory, but committed a game-high five turnovers.

Ohio State's Dallas Lauderdale heads into the game as one of the nation's top shot-blockers. The Buckeyes' 6-foot-8 sophomore forward has already tallied 13 blocked shots and is averaging 6.5 per contest.

Samford and Ohio State will meet on the hardwood for only the second time in history Saturday. The first all-time meeting between the teams occurred during the 2003-04 campaign as Samford dropped an 80-62 decision on the road in Columbus, Ohio. The game was held on Dec. 13, 2003, at Value City Arena.

Both Samford and Ohio State are averaging exactly 65.5 points per game this season. Defensively, the Bulldogs are only allowing 58.5 points per contest, while the Buckeyes are only giving up a stingy 49.5 points per game. Against Delaware State in its season opener, Ohio State only allowed 42 points in the 28-point victory.

In its four games this season, Samford has had a different player lead the team in scoring each time.

The Bulldogs' Trey Montgomery paced the team with 11 points versus Belmont on Nov. 14, while Josh Bedwell exploded for a career-high 24 points at home against Spring Hill on Nov. 17. Samford's Andy King came off the bench to lead the team in scoring with 15 points versus Campbellsville on Nov. 20 and Friday led the Bulldogs' comeback victory against Lipscomb on Monday with a game-high 20 points.

Samford's lone senior on the team this season is 6-foot guard Curtis West. The Bulldogs' speedy native of Baton Rouge, La., was also a senior last year, but was forced to take a medical redshirt season with an injury to his shoulder.

In his shortened 2007-08 campaign, West started in the first five games of the year and averaged 7.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per contest.

As a fifth-year senior this season, West has mentioned on a number of occasions that he feels as if he's getting another chance to have a special year. As one of the Bulldogs' best leaders this season, West is making the most of his second opportunity both at practice and during the games. He also said that sitting out last season was reinvigorating and heightened his hunger to get back on the court.

The Bulldogs have made at least one 3-point field goal in 505-consecutive games.

The last time that Samford did not make a 3-point basket was on Jan. 19, 1991, against Texas-San Antonio. The Bulldogs have also made at least two 3-pointers in 474-straight contests dating back to Feb. 8, 1992, when Samford finished 1-of-6 from beyond the arc against Mercer.

Following its nationally-televised matchup against Ohio State on Saturday, Samford will next be in action on Dec. 6 as the Bulldogs continue their arduous three-game road trip versus the Georgia Southern Eagles at 6:30 p.m. (CST). The contest will be Samford's first Southern Conference game in school history.

Samford Basketball Game Notes
Live Stats - Samford at Ohio State