Dec. 3, 2002

Box Score

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - - Giovanni Price tied her career-high with 24 points, but Southern Mississippi held off a fierce Samford comeback to defeat the Bulldogs, 68-60, Tuesday night in women's college basketball action at Reed Green Coliseum. The Bulldogs (1-4) shot 53 percent from 3-point range, but the Lady Eagles (3-2) out-rebounded Samford 40-24.

Price was 8-of-10 from the field including 5-of-6 from 3-point range. Lindsey Harris scored 13 points all in the second half for the Bulldogs.

La'Tasha Sumerall led Southern Mississippi with 15 points and Sonja Brown added 14 points. Brown also had 10 rebounds and six blocks. Samford shot 44 percent from the field to Southern Miss.' 41 percent. The Lady Eagles made 15-of-18 free throws in the second half to seal the win.

Samford had the ball trailing 65-60 with 1:44 left in the game, but the Lady Eagles forced a turnover. Jessica Woods made a lay-up with 44 seconds left and Marlena Lee made one free throw to make for the final margin.

The Bulldogs trailed 59-44 with 5:48 left in the game. Samford then went on a 16-6 run in four minutes. Harris made two 3-pointers and Price added her fifth 3-pointer to make it 65-56 with 3:02 left in the game. After a lay-up by Harris, Price hit a jumper over Brown to pull Samford within 65-60.

Sumerall scored 12 points in the first half to help the Lady Eagles to a 33-22 halftime lead. Southern Miss shot 46 percent in the first half including 50 percent from 3-point range. Sumerall made 4-of-5 3-pointers in the first half.

Price scored 11 first half points including 3-of-4 from 3-point range. The Bulldogs' stingy defense kept Samford within 25-20 with 3:26 left in the first half. Southern Miss went on 8-2 run right before halftime to take the 33-22 lead into the locker room.

The Bulldogs shot 52 percent from the field and 63 percent from 3-point range in the second half. Noot Pittman scored eight points for Samford.

Samford returns home Saturday to face Southeast Missouri State at 2 p.m.