The electric atmosphere inside Samford University’s Pete Hanna Center on Jan. 14 seeped out quickly to those watching on social media and ESPNU/ESPN+. The men’s basketball team dug deep to pull off the win over Chattanooga, and the fans quickly became a vital part of the game — with many adding peripheral cheers from living rooms across the nation.
No. 1 in SoCon
The one-point lead change happening within the last five seconds and allowing the Bulldogs to seize the win at 75–74 brings Samford to 6–0 in the Southern Conference (12–7 overall) and protects the team’s No. 1 conference standing.
“We had to have every small advantage we could,” Coach Bucky McMillan said in the post-game press conference. “We had to come back and play pretty good defense. … Our fans didn’t quit either, they stayed with us. When we were down 19, they didn’t leave,” he said, giving credit to the investment and energy of the crowd playing a part in the win.
‘Ability to persevere’
“Our guys played with a lot of heart. It’s hard to not give in when you are not doing well, not scoring and we went through a stretch there that we weren’t scoring,” McMillan explained. “I told the guys in the locker room that you are (of) high character. When things don’t go your way, you still have an ability to persevere, you don’t quit.
“Everyone can stay the course when things are going your way, but what about when it’s almost embarrassing out there for you? Can you keep going?
“You saw our guys playing with a lot of guts,” he said. “It took guys in that game not being afraid to lose. It was awesome.”
‘Bucky Ball is here’
Praise poured in across all social media channels with a kind of virtual high five taking place between those court side and those outside.
Samford President Beck Taylor tweeted, “Wow. Wow. Wow.” and “Samford’s 6th Man keeping us in this one!”
Longtime Samford director of development (recently retired) Randy Pittman posted on the school’s athletics Facebook page, “Amazing game! Best defense I’ve ever seen Samford play. … Congrats, Bulldogs!”
Sportswriter Kevin Scarbinsky tweeted, “So so so so so so good.”
The Mid-Major Madness basketball coverage team tweeted, “Bucky Ball is HERE and the real deal.”
Player of the game
Along with the latest win, Samford player Logan Dye also is now rumored to be in the running for the SoCon player of the year. Dye, a senior forward from Haleyville, was named player of the game with 23 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.
And, yes, Samford pulled off another SoCon win, “but it doesn’t get easier,” McMillan noted. “We’ve got to keep going.”
To read more and watch McMillan’s post-game press conference, visit samfordsports.com.
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