Dec. 30, 2004

Notre Dame Samford Box Score

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Chris Thomas scored 14 points, Russell Carter added 11 and Notre Dame overcame a poor start to beat Samford 56-44 Thursday night for its fourth straight win.

The Fighting Irish (8-2) started the game by making just 3-of-17 shots, falling behind 10-6 against the smaller Bulldogs (5-6). But Notre Dame shot 47 percent the rest of the way to win easily.

The Irish weren’t impressive in the win, but simply had too much size and talent for Samford, outscoring the Bulldogs 44-13 from midway through the first half until midway through the second.

Even when the Irish missed shots, they were too big and quick for the Bulldogs. Chris Quinn missed an easy shot inside, not even touching the basket, but Thomas got the rebound. He had an easy shot inside, too, but didn’t touch the basket either. Colin Falls got the rebound, passed out to Quinn, and he hit a 3-pointer.

That’s the kind of game it was for the Bulldogs, who were outrebounded 36-25.

It appeared Samford might break the Joyce Center record for fewest points scored in a game. Ahead 45-21 with 12:52 left, the Irish coaches sent someone over to press row to find out what the record is. But the Bulldogs, who were shooting just 9-of-29 at the time, made 9-of-13 shots down the stretch to easily surpass the record-low 35 points Rice had at the Joyce Center in 1984.

J. Robert Merritt was the only Samford player in double figures with 11 points. Randall Gulina added nine points as the Bulldogs lost their third straight, their fifth straight on the road.

Samford coach Jimmy Tillette was given a technical when he complained to referees on the way off the court at halftime about his team being called for six fouls and Notre Dame having none. The Irish led 28-17 at halftime.

TOM COYNE
AP Sports Writer