Samford defeats VMI 58-78

Samford Edges VMI in Conference Thriller

The Samford Bulldogs (away) came from behind to defeat the VMI Keydets (home) 78-58 in a highly competitive conference matchup at Cameron Hall on Friday night.

Trailing by two points at halftime, Samford's offense ignited in the second half, outscoring VMI 44-22. The Keydets' inability to contain the Bulldogs' shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, ultimately proved crucial in their loss.

Samford's Dylan Faulkner was instrumental in the comeback, scoring a game-high 25 points on an impressive 60.0% shooting clip. His performance was complemented by Keaton Norris's five assists and 11 points, as well as 12 rebounds for the visiting team.

In contrast, VMI's TJ Johnson led all scorers with 17 points but struggled to contain the Bulldogs' offense in the second half. The Keydets' Tan Yildizoglu added 12 points and four assists, while AJ Clark contributed nine rebounds and four points off the bench.

The margin of victory was significant, with Samford's largest lead coming at 24 points early in the second half. VMI's largest lead had been a modest nine points going into halftime.

Samford's superior shooting percentages – 55.4% eFG%, 48.2% FT Rate – played a crucial role in their success. The Keydets, on the other hand, struggled with field goal accuracy (34.0%), three-point shooting (22.0%), and turnovers (13.4 TO Ratio).

The game showcased a clash of styles between two teams at different stages of their conference seasons. For Samford, this win marked a significant bounce-back from an earlier defeat, while VMI's loss exposed some vulnerabilities in the Keydets' defense.

In the end, it was Samford's depth and shooting that proved too much for VMI to overcome, as they secured a convincing 20-point victory on the road.