GAME NOTES: The Samford Bulldogs will conclude a four-game road stretch in seven days on Friday against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.

Samford split its two games in the regional portion of the Maui Invitational then dropped an 84-71 decision to Kennesaw State on Wednesday. While Samford's defense forced 22 turnovers, it allowed Kennesaw State to shoot a torrid 60 percent from the floor.

Freshman guard Christen Cunningham's led the way offensively with 16 points, Tyler Hood added 14 and Nnamdi Enechionyia and Brandon Roberts each netted 13 in the setback.

The Owls outscored the Bulldogs, 42-27, in points in the paint and limited them to 33.3 percent shooting.

Shot selection has been Samford's issue in the early going, as it is connecting on just 37.4 percent from the field and is putting up over 22 3- point attempts per game despite not having many effective perimeter shooters.

Cunningham is the team's leading scorer (10.8 ppg) and has made just 2-of-13 from long range. Hood is averaging 10.2 ppg, while Enechionyia is the third best option at 9.0 ppg.

La Tech bring a 16-game home winning streak into the bout after besting Presbyterian by a lopsided 76-48 margin on Sunday. The hosts forced 21 turnovers and had five players score at least nine points in the rout.

Qiydar Davis posted team-highs of 17 points and nine rebounds, while Erik McCree and Jacobi Boykins chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The win was the third in three days for LaTech in the sub-host region of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic.

Kenneth Smith, who became the school's all-time career steals leader on Sunday, is the floor general and is boasting a terrific assist-to-turnover ratio (34-to-14). Raheem Appleby and McCree have been on the receiving end of many of Smith's assists and are pouring in 15.8 and 14.0 ppg, respectively.

Samford's offense struggles coupled with LaTech's home dominance points to a lopsided outcome in the battle of the Bulldog programs.