BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Georgia Southern's men’s basketball team lost, 57-55, to Samford in a Southern Conference game Thursday night.
    The Eagles had two chances in the final 30 seconds to win the game, but had a shot at the buzzer miss. The loss drops GSU to 8-12 overall, 6-4 in the SoCon. Samford improved to 6-13, 3-5.
    GSU sophomore guard Jelani Hewitt scored 23 points. He was 9 for 15 from the field and 5 for 10 from 3-point range to post a new season high. He also led the team with six rebounds. Sophomore forward Eric Ferguson scored 14 points.
    Senior point guard Willie Powers III scored five points and added seven assists. Senior guard Ben Drayton III scored five points.
    The Eagles committed 17 turnovers, which the Bulldogs turned into 15 points. Samford was led by Drew Windler with 18 points on 2-for-5 shooting from 3-point range.
    With a minute left in the game, the Eagles trailed, 56-54. Powers was fouled on a drive and made one of two free throws with 50.3 seconds remaining to cut it to 56-55. The Bulldogs missed their field-goal attempt from the paint, allowing GSU a chance to tie the game in the final seconds.
    Hewitt's 3-point attempt hit the back iron of the rim and GSU was forced to foul. Samford’s Jeffrey Merritt made one of two free throws with 4.3 seconds left for a 57-55 lead.
    Marvin Baynham keyed the ball into Ferguson, who handed it to Drayton on the run. Drayton drove the lane and his shot hit the rim twice but fell away as the game clock expired.