The Samford Bulldogs, ranked 226 in the NET rankings, pulled off a stunning 82-72 upset over the East Tennessee State Buccaneers, who are ranked 115. This 10-point victory was a significant upset, considering East Tennessee State was favored by 17.7 points according to the CHD Scout prediction. Samford's win was fueled by Dylan Faulkner's impressive 24 points and 10 rebounds, while East Tennessee State's Brian Taylor II led his team with 28 points. The Bulldogs' 82 points were the most they have scored in their last 5 games, with an average of 74.2 points per game.
Samford's Dylan Faulkner Scores 24 Points, Including 6 in Overtime
The game was closely contested, with Samford taking a 38-37 lead into halftime. The Bulldogs then extended their lead to 68-61 with 5 minutes remaining, thanks to a 12-5 run that included 7 points from Faulkner. East Tennessee State tried to mount a comeback, but Samford's defense held strong, allowing only 11 points in the final 5 minutes. The Buccaneers' 72 points were 12 points below their season average of 84.2 points per game. Samford's 30 points in the second half were enough to secure the win, despite being outrebounded 35-32 by East Tennessee State. The Bulldogs' 14 points in overtime were the difference-maker, with Faulkner scoring 6 of those points.
The top performers for both teams were impressive, with Faulkner leading the way for Samford. His 24 points and 10 rebounds were a game-high, and he was joined by Jadin Booth, who scored 19 points, and Cade Norris, who added 14 points. For East Tennessee State, Taylor II's 28 points were a team-high, while Blake Barkley contributed 15 points and 7 rebounds, and Cam Morris III added 12 points and 8 rebounds. The Buccaneers' top performers combined for 55 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Bulldogs' balanced attack. Samford's top performers combined for 57 points, with Faulkner's 24 points being the most significant contribution.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
The game was decided by a few key statistics, including Samford's 45.5% shooting from the field, compared to East Tennessee State's 41.9%. The Bulldogs also outscored the Buccaneers 14-4 in overtime, with Faulkner scoring 6 of those points. East Tennessee State was outrebounded 35-32, but they did manage to force 15 turnovers, while committing only 12 themselves. The Bulldogs' 19 assists were 5 more than the Buccaneers' 14, and their 7 steals were 2 more than East Tennessee State's 5. Samford's 82 points were the most they have scored against a team ranked in the top 120 of the NET rankings this season.
The CHD Scout prediction was way off, as they predicted East Tennessee State to win by 17.7 points, with a final score of 84-66. Instead, Samford pulled off the upset, winning 82-72. This was a significant miss, and it highlights the unpredictability of college basketball. The prediction model failed to account for Samford's balanced attack and Faulkner's impressive performance. The actual margin of 10 points was much closer than predicted, and it shows that the Bulldogs are a more competitive team than their NET ranking suggests. The CHD Scout prediction was incorrect, with an error margin of 27.7 points.
This win was a significant boost to Samford's resume, as it counts as a Quad 2 win. The Bulldogs' NET ranking is expected to improve, and they now have a 15-12 record. For East Tennessee State, this loss was a Quad 4 defeat, which could hurt their tournament chances. The Buccaneers' NET ranking is expected to drop, and they now have a 19-8 record. The loss also snapped East Tennessee State's 5-game winning streak, and it drops them to 10-5 in their last 15 games. Samford's win improves their record to 8-7 in their last 15 games, and it gives them momentum heading into their next game.
The Samford Bulldogs want to build on this momentum as they face their next opponent, while the East Tennessee State Buccaneers will try to bounce back from this upset loss. Samford's next game is scheduled for February 17th, and they will face a tough opponent in the Chattanooga Mocs. East Tennessee State's next game is also scheduled for February 17th, and they will face the UNC Greensboro Spartans. Both teams want to improve their records and boost their tournament chances.