Samford and Furman Square Off » Greenville Sports Media

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The Samford Bulldogs (17-4, 7-1 SoCon) come into tonight’s game versus the Furman Paladins (16-5. 4-4 SoCon) on a two-game win streak. The Bulldogs beat Wofford 77-61 in their last game, and Furman was able to beat Mercer 79-74 last time they were in action. Both teams are among the best in mid major basketball and tonight’s game is sure to be a barn burner for the fans watching.

@SamfordMBB 6@FurmanMBB 11
15 minutes in first half@DaFanboys @DaFanBoys_ @JDWyatt06 @MarkLiving40700 @GreenvillSMedia pic.twitter.com/HE22GOjvk1

— Greenville Sports Media (@DafanboysC) January 29, 2025

Furman is able to pull away in the first half with 11 minutes to go 16-12 as Samford battles back keeping it close, but Furman seems to be in the early going having Samford’s number. Both Coaches are making lots of changes to keep the teams as fresh as possible. Furman’s Nick Anderson so far is having a field day on the Bulldogs who have now fallen behind 19-12 with 8 minutes left.

@SamfordMBB 9@FurmanMBB 16
11:46 left in first half@DaFanboys @JDWyatt06 @MarkLiving40700 @DaFanBoys_ @SOTGsmoke @Carlito25Way pic.twitter.com/rDUZwGpTVy

— Greenville Sports Media (@DafanboysC) January 29, 2025

Samford so far in the game is shooting 23.5% from the FG, 37.5 from 3-point line, and 100% from the line. Trey Fort leads scoring with 4 points for Samford in the game, while Julian Brown and Rylan Jones both have 3 points. Furman with 6:34 left in the first half go on a run and its now 23-14 Paladins over the Bulldogs. This SoCon matchup is sure to tell allot about both teams as we near the SoCon tournament in March.

The first half is in the books and Samford Bulldogs are still trailing the Furman Paladins 33-25. The stats for the first half are as follows Samford 32.1% from FG, 36.4% from 3-point range, and 75% from the FT line. Leading scorers are Rylan Jones 9 points and 2 rebounds, Trey Fort has 7 points and 1 rebound in the game so far. Furman shooting 44.4% from FG, 30.8% from 3-point range, and 71.4% from the FT line.

@SamfordMBB 25@FurmanMBB 33
Halftime @DaFanboys @DaFanBoys_ @JDWyatt06 @MarkLiving40700 @GreenvillSMedia @SOTGsmoke @Carlito25Way @SoConSports @TwoBidSoCon @SoConJohn22 pic.twitter.com/KBg6chuWg1

— Greenville Sports Media (@DafanboysC) January 29, 2025

Samford comes out of the locker room for the second half with a need to get back in this game and they do just that, as they close it to a 39-36 game with 16 minutes left in the game. The Paladins though fight back and get some great ball play and extend it to 44-36 with 14 minutes left in the game. Media timeout on the court with Samford shooting now 35.1% from FG, 38.5% from 3-point range, with 21 rebounds and 6 steals so far in the game. Samford has been kept in check by the Paladins so far in this game as both teams are moving up and down the court quick with a gun slinger attitude putting up shots. Rylan Jones still leads the Bulldogs in scoring with 14 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals.

.@rylanjones15 trying to get us back in it with the corner 3⃣ and 14 points

📈:https://t.co/uBKD5BbCB1
📺:https://t.co/N5Si9IDTxC #BuckyBall | #AllForSAMford pic.twitter.com/qwi127SPqt

— Samford Men's Basketball (@SamfordMBB) January 30, 2025

Furman with just under 11 minutes left is now ahead by 12 points after a huge steal by Davis Molnar, and its 56-44 as Samford is in need of a way to get back in this game and stop the Furman offense. Samford with 9 minutes left in the game has pulled to within 7 points against the Paladins 58-51. Furman offense is rentless and gets a huge foul on the shot as VanderWal heads to the line to shot two and gets one with Samford going down the court and getting a huge shot by Trey Fort and its 59-53. Samford with 6:29 left in the game has cut the lead to one point 61-60 as Rylan Jones has kept his team in the game.

.@TreyFort3 jumper cuts the deficit to 4 👀👀. Here come the Dogs

📈:https://t.co/uBKD5BbCB1 📺:https://t.co/N5Si9IDTxC #BuckyBall | #AllForSAMford pic.twitter.com/dyi21MmBMn

— Samford Men's Basketball (@SamfordMBB) January 30, 2025

Samford with 5:45 in the game have tied it 63-63 and are looking to take the lead. Samford takes a timeout with 4 minutes left in the game trailing 65-63 and the ball. They are shooting 43.6% from FG, 42.9% from 3-point range, and have 28 rebounds, and 9 steals. Rylan Jones has been money in the game with 19 points and two rebounds, with Trey Fort having 12 points and 3 rebounds. We have two minutes left in the game and its 68-65 Furman still in the lead after Samford was able to tie the game. Furman has had some huge luck and have been able to convert on its chances. Samford has had a few mis ques which have hurt them in situations. Furman makes it a 5-point lead with 1:39 left in the game as BSWA has come alive for their team.

The Bulldogs have been battling back. Tune in for the last 4 minutes

📈:https://t.co/uBKD5BbCB1
📺:https://t.co/N5Si9IDTxC #BuckyBall | #AllForSAMford pic.twitter.com/D54q8tuG6k

— Samford Men's Basketball (@SamfordMBB) January 30, 2025

This game has come to 14 seconds left and Furman leading taking its final timeout 70-68 and they have the ball. This comes to an end with Samford losing to Furman 70-72.