Update #7: Down to the wire, ASU trailed by one after a Carter three-pointer. ASU had the basketball, but a turnover gave it back to Samford, forcing ASU to foul with 24 seconds to play. Samford hits a pair of free throws to lead 53-50. ASU was unable to hit a field goal attempt, then missed the front end of a one-and-one. Samford missed a free throw and ASU hurriedly brought the ball upfloor, where Tab Hamilton was fouled shooting a three-point attempt with 0.5 seconds to play. Hamilton needed to make all three free throws to send the game to overtime. Hamilton made the first freebie and missed the second. Following an ASU timeout, Hamilton intentionally tried to miss the third free throw attempt, but made it off the glass. Samford holds on for the 53-52 win.
Thanks for reading!
Update #6: 3:29 remains in the game and ASU trails Samford 46-44. Samford has shot abysmal from the three-point line, going 0-8 in the second half and 3-for-19 for the game. Nevertheless, the Mountaineers have not shot the basketball well, either, just 5 for 20 from three-point range and less than 38 percent for the game.
Update #5: ASU regains the lead 42-41 with a Mike Neal three-pointer with 6:50 to play in the game. Ike Butts has made his presence felt inside, altering shots that were easier for Samford to make earlier in the game.
Update #4: Samford leads ASU 39-35 after a 9-0 run from the Bulldogs. ASU has went cold from the field, while Samford has worked hard at second-chance opportunities with offensive rebounding. ASU has been out of sync for much of the second half, and has 11:37 to right the proverbial ship.
Update #3: ASU holds a 35-30 lead at the first media timeout of the second half. There has not been a solid scoring run by either team thus far where it can be said that a team seized momentum. Neither team is shooting 40 percent thus far for the game, making for not the prettiest of contests through the first 24 minutes-plus.
Update #2: ASU leads Samford 31-26 at intermission. Nathan Healy leads the Mountaineers with seven points, with five points apiece from Trice and Williamson. Hood leads Samford with 10 points, with seven from Drew Winder and four from Raijon Kelly. Second half action to come!
Update #1: With 3:57 to play before halftime, ASU holds a 25-23 lead over Samford. Hood leads all scorers with 10 points, while Jamaal Trice leads ASU with five points.
We're live at Holmes Center for tonight's Southern Conference hoops game between ASU and visiting Samford. The Bulldogs come in at 7-14 overall, while the Mountaineers sit at 9-11 for the season.
11:08 remains in the first half, and the teams are tied at 12-12. Tyler Hood of Samford leads all scorers with six points, while ASU's Tab Hamilton and Mike Neal each have a three-pointer thus far.
We'll be offering updates throughout the contest. Thanks for reading!
