Samford tops VMI in OT, 92-85, advances in SoCon tourney

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) Darius Jones-Gibson scored 25 points, and Matt Rose hit a 3-pointer late in overtime to help No. 8 seed Samford beat ninth-seeded VMI 92-85 Friday in the first round of the Southern Conference tournament.

Samford will play top-seeded Chattanooga (26-5) on Saturday, which beat the Bulldogs 77-66 in the regular-season finale last Sunday.

Christen Cunningham scored 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting, Marcus Johnson added 16 and Rose finished with 15, including four 3s.

The Bulldogs (14-18) used an 11-2 run, including Rose's 3, to open up an 87-80 lead with 33 seconds left in overtime.

VMI (9-21) made just 3 of 10 shots and 3 of 6 free-throw attempts after regulation.

QJ Peterson scored 27 with a season-high 14 rebounds and six assists for the Keydets. Tim Marshall had 20 points, including six 3s, and Phillip Anglade added 19 on 8-of-13 shooting.

Samford hit 31 of 36 (86 percent) foul shots while VMI made 24 of 35 (69 percent).