Nov. 29, 2002
Final Stats
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - Erica Dixon scored a game-high 16 points to lead three Alabama A&M players in double figures and A&M staved off a late Samford charge to defeat the Bulldogs, 67-55, in women's college basketball action in the opening round of the Jacksonville State Classic at Pete Matthews Coliseum. The Bulldogs fell to 0-3 while A&M improved to 1-1.
Giovanni Price led Samford with a season-high 14 points while freshman guard Cora Beth Smith scored a career-high 12 points. The Bulldogs shot 80 percent from the free-throw line, connecting on 20-of-25 free throws. However, Alabama A&M shot 49 percent from the field including 50 percent from 3-point range.
After Alabama A&M led 42-26 at halftime, Samford opened the second half with a 6-0 run cutting its deficit to 42-32 on Smith's jumper with 18:17 left on the clock. A&M then answered with a 12-5 run to take its largest lead of the game, 54-36, with 11:22 left in the game.
The Bulldogs made only one field goal the rest of the game, but made 17-of-20 free throws to wrap up their scoring. Samford cut its deficit to 63-55 with 1:44 left, but that was as close it would get. Dixon hit four straight free throws to seal A&M's first win.
Hot shooting sparked both teams in the first half. Alabama A&M shot 61 percent from the field including 57 percent from 3-point range in the first half. The Bulldogs shot a season-high 55 percent in the first half but shot 26 percent in the second half to finish the game shooting 40 percent.
Alabama A&M led 14-5 in the first six minutes of the game. Price and Lindsey Harris scored five straight points to pull Samford with 14-10 with 12:41 left in the first half. Aleshia McCord's 3-pointer made it 22-15 in favor of A&M with 9:25 left in the game. The Bulldogs went on a 7-0 run to tie the game at 22. Che' Walker completed a 3-point play and LaBrena Friend made two backdoor lay-ups tying the game.
Alabama A&M outscored the Bulldogs 20-4 in the remaining nine minutes to take the 42-26 halftime lead.
Angela Carr scored 12 points for A&M while Tenniqua Ransom added 10 points. Noot Pittman scored eight points while Harris added seven points.
Samford continues play in the Jacksonville State Classis Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs play Morris Brown at 2 p.m. at Pete Matthews Coliseum.
