Nov. 28, 2000

Box Score

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Samford Bulldogs shot 48 percent in the second half to comeback from a 34-23 halftime deficit but a last second three-point effort by Aimee Cochran fell short as Alabama State survived with a 59-56 women's basketball victory over Samford Tuesday night.

Alabama State (3-0) remained unbeaten on the season by making 25 of 28 (89.3 %) free throws in the game despite shooting 30 percent from the floor. The Lady Hornets were led by 20 points from Nichole Miller and 17 points from Shameka Jackson. Jackson was 10-10 from the free throw line in the game.

Giovanni Price led Samford (1-3) with 17 points, 15 in the second half. Aimee Cochran and Natalie McLendon each had nine points for the Bulldogs. Cochran now has 992 points in her career.

Samford jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead but Alabama State answered with a 6-0 run of its own to make the score 7-6 early. The Bulldogs held the lead until the 6:51 mark of the first half when Miller hit a lay up to tie the game at 20-20. The Lady Hornets outscored the Bulldogs 14-3 over the final 5:12 of the half to take an 11-point lead into halftime.

Price scored the Bulldogs first eight points of the second half as Samford began its comeback. The Bulldogs cut the lead to just one point at 55-54 with 2:00 to play in the game. A pair of free throws by Jackson made it a three point game with 1:18 to play. Wendi Wlcox hit a baseline jumper with 1:02 left to once again bring Samford to within one. Alabama State ran the shot clock down and missed a jumper but then stole the outlet pass to retain possession. The Bulldogs were forced to foul with 11 seconds remaining. Jawanda West made both free throws to give the Lady Hornets a 59-56 lead. The Bulldogs hurried the ball down the floor but Cochran's three point effort hit the front of the rim as time expired.

The Bulldogs have now lost back-to-back games for the first time since Nov. 26, 1999 when Samford dropped the first two games to open the 1999 season. The Bulldogs shot 45 percent in the game and 77 percent (13-17) from the free-throw line but 27 turnovers, 16 in the first half, helped Alabama State build its lead.

Samford will have to bounce back quickly as the Bulldogs open Trans America Athletic Conference play at home on Thursday. The Bulldogs will entertain UCF at 7 p.m. at Seibert Hall. The game can be heard in Birmingham on WVSU 91.1 and all over the world at www.samfordsports.com.