CHARLESTON, S.C. (Interstat) — In a Southern Conference clash between two teams nicknamed Bulldogs, the Samford Bulldogs survived a frantic final minute to edge The Citadel Bulldogs 78-75 on Thursday night at McAlister Field House.

The game, witnessed by 1,721 fans, was a tale of two halves and a dramatic finish, with Samford overcoming a halftime deficit and then holding off a desperate Citadel rally in the closing seconds.

Samford improved to 16-12 overall and secured a regular-season sweep of Citadel, having also won 78-64 in Birmingham on Feb. 5. The Citadel fell to 9-19.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final 30 seconds. With Samford clinging to a 73-71 lead, Citadel’s Braxton Williams, who led all scorers with 22 points, connected on a deep 3-pointer from the top of the key, assisted by Marcos Gonzales, to put the home team ahead 74-73 with just 15 seconds remaining.

Samford inbounded quickly and found Zion Wilburn driving into the lane. He was fouled by Citadel’s Braxton Williams with 12 seconds left. Wilburn, a reserve guard from Richmond, California, calmly sank both free throws to restore Samford’s lead at 75-74.

On the ensuing possession, Citadel’s Marcos Gonzales drove for a layup that rolled off the rim, but Sola Adebisi of Alpharetta, Georgia, was there for the offensive rebound and putback, giving Citadel a 76-75 advantage with only six seconds on the clock.

Samford called a timeout and advanced the ball. On the inbound play, Jadin Booth of Omaha, Nebraska, was fouled by Williams while attempting a 3-pointer with six ticks remaining. Booth made the first two free throws to put Samford back up 77-76 but missed the third intentionally. Citadel secured the rebound but Gonzales was immediately fouled.

Gonzales made the first free throw to tie the game at 77-77 but missed the second. Samford’s Dylan Faulkner of Calhoun, Georgia, grabbed the crucial defensive rebound and was fouled with one second left. Faulkner made the first free throw to break the tie and, after missing the second intentionally, Citadel’s last-ditch full-court heave was off target, sealing the three-point victory for the visitors.

The frantic finish capped a game where Samford had to rally. The Citadel led 34-31 at halftime, fueled by 12 first-half points from Christian Moore of Los Angeles. Samford responded with a 47-point second half, led by Cade Norris of Hilliard, Ohio, who scored 19 points, and Booth, who added 18 points and three assists. Wilburn provided a massive spark off the bench, scoring all 18 of his points after halftime.

For The Citadel, Williams’ 22 points were complemented by 13 points, three assists and two blocks from Adebisi. Gonzales added eight points and four assists.

Samford shot efficiently in the second half to overcome its early struggles, while The Citadel’s late surge, marked by three 3-pointers from Williams in the final 1:12, ultimately fell just short.

Samford next plays at Mercer on Saturday. The Citadel returns to action at home against Chattanooga, also on Saturday.