2008 Woodie Awards
Men's basketball takes season opener
Matt Stamp
Issue date: 11/14/07 Section: Sports
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For a few of the returning players, the victory spelled sweet revenge. Evansville beat the Bulldogs at Seibert Hall last year 69-65. That loss all but spelled doom for the Bulldogs as they headed into their postseason.
"This was a big win for us because I didn't think that we played that well in the second half, but we were able to hold on for the win," Coach Jimmy Tillette said after the game.
Merritt said that last year's loss to the Purple Aces provided a little incentive for this year's season opener.
"Losing to anyone is always motivation to never lose to them again. It was nice to get them back this year for the loss last year," Merritt said.
Merritt led Samford with 18 points, shooting 7 for 11 from the floor. He stepped up for the Bulldogs late in the game, shooting a perfect 4-4 in the final period, including the game-winning lay-up as time expired to seal the victory.
Senior center Travis Peterson had 14 points and sophomore guard Trey Montgomery added 10 points. Peterson also led the Bulldogs with four rebounds.
The Bulldogs shot 52.6 percent in the first half and led 30-19 at halftime. The Bulldog's led by 13 points early in the second half, but the Purple Aces fought back and took the lead 47-46 with three and a half minutes to play.
Evansville increased the lead to 49-46 with 53 seconds in the game. Then Travis Peterson stepped up for the Bulldogs and hit two free throws, cutting into the Purple Aces lead and bringing Samford within one.
The Bulldogs regained possession with 8.8 seconds left in the game when Montgomery got the ball on an inbounds pass.
After faking out an Evansville defender, Montgomery found Merritt along the baseline. With one second remaining on the clock, Merritt put up the game-winning shot.
"I was just wanting to make sure that we got a shot off before time expired, and we ran a play that gave us a good chance for a high percentage shot; it worked out," Merritt said.
Merritt and the rest of the Bulldog seniors showed potential for leading a successful team during Sunday's game. The senior trio consisting of Merritt, Peterson and guard Curtis West accounted for 35 of Samford's 50 points.
"The three of us all know that we are going to be counted on everyday this basketball season whether that be to score points, or just be vocal leaders on the floor," Merritt said. "We all know how important good leadership is on any team."
The win against the Purple Aces starts the season off nicely for the Bulldogs but also outlines areas needing improvement. The Bulldogs were a meager 47 percent from the free-throw line and were out-rebounded 26-17.
While there are many games to be played, players said they're eager to build on the momentum of Sunday's win.
The Bulldogs are in action again this Thursday at 7 p.m. against the Belmont Bruins in their first regular season home game.