Samford races past Martin Methodist 79-62

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Sophomore Tim Williams notched his seventh career double-double to lead Samford past NAIA Martin Methodist 79-62 on Friday night.

Williams finished with game-highs in both points (19) and rebounds (16). His 16 boards were also a career-high.

Martin Methodist opened the second half with a 9-0 run and took the lead 35-34. The game remained close until midway through the period when Jordan Capps, Williams and Raijon Kelly combined for an 18-2 run to put Samford up by 15.

Isaiah Williams added 16 points for Samford (1-0) and Kelly 14. Morris Mitchell was the only Redhawks player to reach double figures, with 10.

Samford shot 43.3 percent from the field to Martin Methodist’s 36.7. The Bulldogs outscored Martin Methodist 32-25 in the paint.

As a freshman last season, Tim Williams scored a career-high 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Bulldogs.