Thompson's 6 3s power Samford past Western Carolina, 82-63

HOMEWOOD, Ala. -- Alex Thompson knocked down six 3-pointers to tally 23 points and Samford shot past Western Carolina, 82-63 in a Southern Conference battle Thursday night.

The Bulldogs had the hot hand all night, knocking down 60.4 percent from the field, hitting 29 of 48 shots, including 10 of 18 from beyond the 3-point stripe.

Demetrius Denzel-Dyson hit 5 of 9 from the field to add 14 points for Samford (15-8, 6-4), which is now in fourth place in the conference standings, a half-game behind North Carolina-Greensboro, which lost to Chattanooga, 91-68. Both teams have four conference losses, but UNCG has seven wins.

Samford held a 34-27 advantage on the boards and cleaned 27 caroms off the defensive glass.

Haboubacar Mutombo scored 19 points to lead the Catamounts, the only player to reach double-figure scoring. Western Carolina shot 25 of 59 from the field (42.4 percent), including 6 of 15 from long distance.