Feb. 19, 2004
Box Score
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -
The Samford University women's basketball team fell in a hard-fought battle with OVC-leading Austin Peay, 66-61, Thursday night in Seibert Hall.
"I thought we played well for 36 minutes," Samford head coach Mike Morris said. "I thought we played as well at times as we can, but to beat the best team in the league, you have to play well for 40 minutes."
Samford (9-15, 2-11 OVC) got off to a quick start, grabbing an early 7-4 lead with 17:10 to go in the first half on a three-pointer by Alex Munday. Austin Peay (18-6, 12-1 OVC) then went on a 10-0 run to take a 14-7 lead at the 12:48 mark on a layup by Jessica Grayson.
Samford fought back to cut the lead to two at 16-14 on a three-pointer by Veronica Pike with 10:03 left in the half. The game remained close for the rest of the first half, with Samford's Chelsee Insell hitting a three-pointer with two seconds left to send the teams to halftime tied at 33-33.
Samford briefly took the lead at 35-33 early in the second half on a layup by Munday. However, Austin Peay went on a 12-3 run to take a 45-38 lead with 14:35 to go on a jumper by Gerlonda Hardin. Samford then answered with a 7-2 run to cut the lead to two at 47-45 with 13:10 to go on a three-pointer by Giovanni Price.
After trading baskets over the next few minutes, the Lady Govs increased their lead to seven at 58-51 with 6:10 remaining in the game on a layup by Ashley Haynes. Samford then responded with a 7-1 run to cut the lead back to one at 59-58 with 4:22 to go on a layup by LaBrena Friend. APSU then reeled off five-straight points to take a 64-58 lead with 1:33 to go. A three-pointer by Samford's Cora Beth Smith with 39 seconds left cut the lead back to three at 64-61, but two free throws by Cassandra Peek put the game away for the Lady Govs as Austin Peay came away with the 66-61 win.
Samford was led by Munday with 19 points. Friend had 16 points and a career-high seven rebounds. Smith scored 10 points, and Insell dished out a career-high five assists.
Austin Peay was led by Kera Bergeron with 18 points. Hardin scored 16 points, and Carden Cobb added 14 points for the Lady Govs.
Samford will return to action on Saturday, Feb. 21, when the Bulldogs play host to Tennessee Tech. Tip-off for the game is set for 4:00 p.m. in Seibert Hall.
