BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Campbellsville University was unable to dig back from a late first half hole in a 79-68 exhibition loss to Samford University in the Pete Hanna Center on Friday, Nov. 29. The game wrapped up a two-game swing in the Roundball Showcase and was the final of four exhibitions against NCAA Division I teams.

BOX SCORE

Campbellsville hung tight with its DI opponent through most of the game. Darius Clement hit two 3s in the first three minutes to give CU a brief 3-2 lead and later tie the game at 6-6.

The Tigers managed to keep it a one or two possession game through most of the first half, pulling back within a point, 19-18, on a Jordan Myers' 3 with 10:04 remaining in the first half. However, Campbellsville went cold in the final eight minutes of the half, shooting 3-of-13, including 2-of-7 from 3-point range.

Myers led the Tigers at halftime with 12 points, including three 3s, but CU was shooting only 33.3 percent (11-of-33) as a team. He went on to finish with 18 in the game.

Trailing by 16 at the half, 47-31, came out firing in the second half on a 9-2 run to pull within nine points, 49-40. The Tigers kept the margin within single digits most of the second half, including a late jumper by Miles Rice to cut it to 68-63. But Samford's Tim and Isaiah Williams had an answer nearly every time. The duo each finished with career-highs 27 and 26 points, respectively, for Samford. The rest of the Bulldogs combined for 26 points.

A'Darius Pegues and Eric Gaines led CU's second-half charge with 14 and nine points, respectively in the half. Gaines finished with 13 points, along with Miles Rice, while Pegues scored all of his points in the second half.

Campbellsville minimized its turnovers with only six in the game but where out rebounded 38-30 and gave up a season-high 58.3 percent (7-of-12) shooting from 3-point range.

"I thought we got out of this exactly what we needed," said Keith Adkins, CU head coach. "I saw a spark in the second half that we haven't had in a while. Hopefully we can carry this over into the rest of our season. We still have a lot to work on, but we took a step in the right direction tonight."

Samford snapped a six-game road skid with the win, improving to 2-0 at home against NAIA opponents.

Campbellsville (2-2) will return to regular season action Wednesday, Dec. 4, as the Tigers travel to Lindenwood University Belleville. Live video, audio and stats will be provided by Lindenwood Belleville.

CU will return home to Powell Athletic Center on Saturday, Dec. 7, for a 7 p.m. tipoff against Life University.