Dec. 13, 2002

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In the words of the Counting Crows "It's been a long December" for the Samford men's basketball team. The Bulldogs are traveling for the third straight weekend as they face NCAA participant Valparasio on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs are 2-1 on the trip that sees Samford playing eight-straight games away from Seibert Hall.

TIPOFF: Saturday Dec. 14, 2002, 7 p.m. Athletics-Recreation Center, Valparasio, Ind.

SAMFORD: The Bulldogs are 4-2 on the season after winning the consolation game at the Pizza Hut Classic 64-54 over Florida International in Springfield, Mo., last weekend. Samford has had the week off for final exams. Samford leads the nation in free throw shooting at 85.4 percent and is 10th in the nation in 3-pointers per game averaging 10.2 made three-pointers per contest. J. Robert Merritt is ranked in the A-Sun in four statistical categories and is 13th in the nation shooting 62 percent from three-point range. Phillip Ramelli is 4th in the A-Sun and 19th in the nation in field goal percentage at 66 percent.

VALPARASIO: The Crusaders have dropped three straight games after falling 75-61 at UW-Milwaukee on Wednesday. Raitis Grafs has led the Crusaders in scoring in all six of their games. He had 15 pts and eight rebounds against UWM and he averages 17.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game for Valpo. Joaquim Gomes and Stalin Ortis are averaging 10.2 points. Valpo is shooting 43 percent from the floor, 26 percent from long range, and 68 percent from the free throw line this season. Valpo has won both of its home games this season against Indiana State and Northern Illinois. The Crusaders are 0-4 away from the ARC.

INSIDE STUFF: Tonight's meeting is only the second meeting between Samford and Valparasio. The Bulldogs won the only other meeting 89-75 on Dec. 23, 1983. That game was a part of the UAB Classic at the BJCC in Birmingham. If the Bulldogs win they would start the season 5-2 for the first time since the 1998-99 season when the Bulldogs finished 24-6, won the Atlantic Sun, and faced St. John's in the NCAA Tournament. AIR: The game can be heard on WVSU 91.1-FM and the internet at www.samfordsports.com.

NEXT: The Bulldogs will make the short trip to Chicago to face UIC on Monday at 7 p.m. UIC won its conference last season and played in the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs are 1-1 all-time against the Flames.