BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ------ The Auburn Montgomery men's basketball team dropped a 94-79 decision to NCAA Division I Samford University in exhibition play Monday night at the Pete Hanna Center.
The Warhawks were led by junior Reagan Eubanks with 26 points.
NOTES
• The result and statistics from the contest did not count toward AUM's season totals.
• Samford improved to 1-1 on the season.
• The 2015-16 meeting between the teams marked the second all-time meeting between the two programs.
STANDOUT PERFORMERS
• Eubanks finished with a season-high 26 points, connecting on six treys, and 10-of-24 from the field.
• Junior Jake Carnley had a career-high 17 points on the night with two treys of his own, and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line.
• Junior Phillip Rankin picked up 20 points with seven boards and a team-high two blocks.
• Freshman Desmond DeRamus picked up nine points to his name along with six assists and two steals.
• Darius Jones-Gibson led Samford with his game-high 31 points and 10 rebounds.
• Christen Cunningham also added 18 points for the Bulldogs.
• Matt Rose finished with five boards, 12 points and a steal for SU.
HOW IT HAPPENED
• AUM scored the first basket of the game on a DeRamus three, and a dunk by the freshman put the Warhawks ahead 5-3.
• AUM battled back and forth with neither team gaining more than a six point lead. Samford led 11-5 with 14:28 remaining, while AUM picked up its largest lead of the night ahead 34-30 with 1:21 remaining in the half.
• The Bulldogs quickly responded heading in the half with a 35-34 lead.
• Samford never relinquished the lead again, pushing out to a 19 point lead, 83-64, with 5:30 remaining.
• AUM outscored Samford 15-11 down the final stretch, but eventually fell 94-79.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• The Warhawks converted 40.3 percent of their shots for the game, finishing 29-of-72 from the floor.
• Samford finished 36-of-72 from the field, good for 50 percent, and hit 19 free-throws.
• AUM won the turnover margin 12-15 over Samford.
• The Warhawks outscored the Bulldogs 40-18 on fast breaks.
• Samford won the battle of the boards over AUM 54-31.
QUOTING THE HEAD COACH
"I was very impressed with the way Jake and Reagan stepped up today against a quality Division I opponent," head coach Michael Cheaney stated. "Our team continued to battle despite a few injuries, and I am excited to see how we continue to mature throughout the season."
UP NEXT
• The Warhawks will return to action Thursday, Nov. 19, when they travel to Southern University at New Orleans. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
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