Peterson scores 28 points in VMI's 88-66 win

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) QJ Peterson scored 28 points and VMI beat Samford 88-66 on Thursday night in a Southern Conference opener.

Jordan Weethee added 14 points and 11 rebounds and Julian Eleby scored 19 points for the Keydets (4-4, 1-0). Phillip Anglade had 11 rebounds and blocked five shots.

Darius Jones-Gibson and Tyler Hood scored 13 points each for the Bulldogs (3-6, 0-1) with Michael Bradley adding 11 points and 10 rebounds.

VMI was 25 of 35 at the free-throw line and made five more 3-pointers than the Bulldogs. The Keydets also finished with eight blocks and made 10 steals, five by Eleby, as the Bulldogs ended up turning the ball over 20 times.

The Keydets finished the first half on a 9-2 run to lead 50-40 at the break. A 13-0 run left VMI ahead 81-63 with 2:36 remaining in the game.