The Sports Network

DATE & TIME: Saturday, January 12, 7:05 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: McHalister Field House (6,000) -- Charleston, South Carolina. Television: None. Home Record: Samford 2-4. The Citadel 3-4. Away Record: Samford 2-6, The Citadel 0-6. Neutral Record: Samford 0-2, The Citadel 0-0. Conference Record: Samford 2-1, The Citadel 0-3. Series Record: The Citadel leads, 7-2.

GAMES NOTES: Coming off just their second win in the last seven games, the Samford Bulldogs will attempt to string a pair of wins together for the first time this season, as they visit The Citadel Bulldogs for a Southern Conference bout at McHalister Field House.

In the first of two games in the city of Charleston, Samford topped the College of Charleston, 62-57 on Thursday to earn its second conference victory of the season. The victory moved the Bulldogs to 4-12 overall, while earning them just their second victory in eight trips away from home. Samford will return to its home floor in its next two games beginning against Western Carolina.

A 70-65 loss to Chattanooga extended The Citadel's losing streak to nine games. A once promising start to the season has gone downhill during the stretch with the team just 3-10 overall. The Citadel is also winless in three conference tilts and just 3-4 at home. The Bulldogs will face their cross-town rivals, the College of Charleston, in the final game of this four-contest homestand on Monday.

In nine previous matchups The Citadel has come out on top seven times, including a 73-62 victory a year ago.

Samford rallied from a nine-point deficit against the College of Charleston down the stretch by ripping off a 15-2 run to earn a four-point advantage with 2:23 remaining. The Bulldogs then held on for the victory by going 3-of-4 from the free-throw line in the final 15 seconds.

Usually when Samford has fallen behind there isn't much hope for a comeback, considering how poorly the Bulldogs have scored this season. As a team Samford puts in just 59.7 points per game, which is the second worst mark in the SoCon. Samford is also a very weak rebounding team (28.1 pg) ranking last in the conference and among the 10 worst marks in the country. The tandem of Raijon Kelly (14.9 ppg) and Tim Williams (14.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg) has taken on the bulk of the offensive responsibilities.

The Citadel led for almost the entire second half against Chattanooga until a jump shot from Zaccheus Mason put the Mocs ahead 64-62. The Bulldogs would get no closer the rest of the way as they missed their last two field goal attempts.

Defense has been a major weak point for The Citadel. The Bulldogs are allowing 75.5 points per game, while teams connect on 47.4 percent of their shots from the field. The Bulldogs have managed to lead the conference in assists (14.7 pg) but are just 10th in rebounds (30.9 pg). Mike Groselle (14.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg) has almost single-handedly been carrying the team offensively and on the glass. Getting Raemond Robinson back has been a help though, as he scored 15 points in just his second game this season.

As it stands, neither of these teams looks like a squad that will have something to say about the SoCon title at year's end. The Citadel just barely fell to Chattanooga and may be able to find more success against an offensive- deficient Samford.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: The Citadel 64, Samford 62