Jan 31, 2004

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Phillip Ramelli scored 21 points and grabbed six rebounds while J. Robert Merritt added 18 points to lead Samford to a 70-58 Ohio Valley Conference victory over Southeast Missouri on Saturday.

The win puts Samford (10-9, 5-3) in third place in the conference.

Brandon Griffin led the Indians (9-10, 2-6) with 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Derek Winans was 6-of-13 for 16 and Damarcus Hence added 12.

The lead changed hands three times in the first four minutes of the game but a three-point basket by Merritt put the Bulldogs ahead 6-4 and Samford would not trail again.

The Bulldogs had one turnover in the first half, building a 10-point halftime lead, 36-26.

Samford hit 57 percent from the floor in the second half to finish the game with 51 percent shooting overall. The Indians made 45 percent of their shots in the game.

Both teams hit 10 three-pointers and Samford committed a season-low six turnovers while the Indians turned the ball over 11 times.