Samford Cruises Past The Citadel 78-64

Samford dominated The Citadel 78-64 at the Pete Hanna Center, with Jadin Booth pacing the Bulldogs with 15 points. The victory marked a strong performance by Samford, who led by as many as 16 points in the second half. The Bulldogs' win was predicted by CHD Scout, who forecasted an 11.3-point margin of victory, and the actual 14-point difference was a reflection of Samford's control throughout the game.

The first half saw Samford take a 39-32 lead into the break, with Booth and Dylan Faulkner combining for 19 points. Faulkner, who finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds, was a force to be reckoned with in the paint, while Booth's outside shooting helped stretch The Citadel's defense. The Citadel's Logan Applegate kept his team within striking distance, scoring 10 of his 14 points in the first half.

In the second half, Samford continued to pull away, with Kam Martin chipping in 14 points to help the Bulldogs maintain their lead. The Citadel struggled to contain Samford's balanced attack, which saw three players score in double figures. Applegate's efforts were valiant, but ultimately not enough to overcome the Bulldogs' strong team performance.

The Citadel's Carter Kingsbury added 13 points, but the team's inability to contain Samford's offense proved costly. The Bulldogs' 39 points in each half were a reflection of their consistent play, and their 14-point margin of victory was a fair reflection of their dominance.

CHD Scout's prediction of a Samford win by 11.3 points proved accurate, and the Bulldogs' performance will be a welcome boost to their resume. However, the win comes with the caveat that it was a Quadrant 4 victory, which may not carry significant weight in the eyes of the selection committee. For The Citadel, the loss was also a Quadrant 4 defeat, which will do little to enhance their tournament chances.

The outcome of this game will have limited implications for the tournament landscape, but it serves as a reminder of Samford's potential when they play to their strengths. With a record of 12-12, the Bulldogs must string together a series of wins to make a push for postseason play. For now, they can take comfort in a convincing win over The Citadel, and the knowledge that their performance was a step in the right direction. As the season enters its final stretch, Samford want to build on this momentum and make a late push for tournament consideration.