BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP)_ J. Robert Merritt had 17 points and brother Joe Ross Merritt scored three in the final two minutes of overtime to lift Samford to a 73-71 victory over Austin Peay on Saturday.
The Bulldogs (13-8, 8-2 Ohio Valley Conference) had scored the first six points of overtime before Todd Babington's 3-pointer and William Durden's dunk cut it to 69-68 with 2:44 left.
Joe Ross Merritt then hit a layup and one of two free throws before Ryan Isom missed a desperation 3-pointer in the final seconds for Austin Peay (8-14, 6-4).
Jerry Smith had 15 points for Samford while Joe Ross Merritt had 12 on 5-of-6 shooting. Bryan Boerjan and Randall Gulina had 11 points apiece.
Zac Schlader led Austin Peay with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Maurice Hampton had 14 points, Anthony Davis scored 12 and Durden and Babington each had 11.
Gulina sent the game into overtime by hitting two free throws with 14.3 seconds left in regulation after the Bulldogs rallied from a 56-50 deficit in the final 2:16.
Samford hit all four of its shots in overtime.
