Jan. 4, 2003
Box Score
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -
LaBrena Friend scored a career-high 17 points to lead three Samford players in double figures as Samford pulled away to defeat Martin Methodist, 70-58, Saturday afternoon in women's college basketball at Seibert Hall. The Bulldogs (4-7) won their second consecutive game while the Red Hawks dropped to 6-6 on the season.
Noot Pittman recorded her second double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Lindsey Harris added 15 points for the Bulldogs, who shot 52 percent from the field and 43 percent from 3-point range. Samford recorded 16 assists. Zuzana Janesikova and Shelli Davis each scored 15 points to lead Martin Methodist.
Friend scored nine of her 17 points in the second half. Martin Methodist overcame a 33-31 halftime deficit to take a 39-38 lead with 15:38 leftt. Andrea Ward converted two free throws to put the Bulldogs back on top 40-39 with 13:52 remaining. After Janesikova put the Red Hawks ahead 43-42 with a jumper in the lane, Samford went on a 5-0 run to take the lead for good. Harris' 3-pointer with 11:12 left gave the Bulldogs a 47-43 advantage.
Friend's lay-up with 8:15 left made it 54-47. Pittman made two free throws three minutes later to cap off an 18-4 run as the Bulldogs led 60-47 with 5:01 left in the game. Martin Methodist drew within 61-54 with 3:31 remaining on two free throws by Davis, but that was as close as the Red Hawks would get.
Samford overcame a 27-22 deficit in the first half to take the 33-31 lead into the locker room. The Bulldogs led 10-7 early after a layup by Giovanni Price. Jana Bachrata made a layup to start a 7-2 Martin Methodist run as the Red Hawks took a 14-12 lead with 11:34 remaining before halftime. After Friend made a 3-pointer to put the Bulldogs ahead 19-16 with 9:29 on the clock, Janesikova's 3-pointer started an 11-3 run to give Martin Methodist the 27-22 lead with 5:40 left. Samford outscored the Red Hawks 11-4 to tlead at halftime.
Kim Loop added 13 points for Martin Methodist. Samford held a 40-33 advantage on the boards. Martin Methodist shot 33 percent for the game including 25 percent from 3-point range.
The Bulldogs return to action Thursday when they open up Atlantic Sun Conference play. Samford will host in-state rival Jacksonville State at 7 p.m. at Seibert Hall.
