Antonio Hanson’s career-high 27 points pace Georgia Southern to an 83-77 win over Samford

Georgia Southern defeats Samford 83-77

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Antonio Hanson finished with a career-high 27 points to lead Georgia Southern to an 83-77 defeat of Samford on Monday night.

Hanson also nailed a career-high seven 3-pointers for the Eagles (8-21, 5-11 Southern Conference). Willie Powers added a double-double for Georgia Southern with 12 points and a career-high 11 assists, while Rory Spencer recorded four blocks to claim Georgia Southern’s single-season blocks record with 61.

Samford outscored the Eagles 36-14 in the paint, but Georgia Southern shot 15-for-28 from 3-point range (52.7 percent). Hanson shot 7-for-14 from beyond the arc.

Jeffrey Merritt scored 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Samford (11-17, 5-11), and Bryan Friday added 15 points.

The Eagles picked up their first road win all season, with their last road victory coming on Jan. 15, 2009.