Jan. 23, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford women's basketball team will play host to the UT Martin Skyhawks in an Ohio Valley Conference game Thursday evening.

Samford enters the game with a record of 13-6 overall and 6-3 in Ohio Valley Conference play after a 72-45 loss at Eastern Kentucky on Saturday. UTM is currently 4-15 overall and 1-8 in conference play after a 71-52 loss to Murray State on Saturday.

In Saturday's loss at Eastern Kentucky, Samford was led by Emily London with 14 points. Alex Munday added 12 points for the Bulldogs. London was named the OVC's Freshman of the Week after averaging 15.0 points and 6.5 assists in Samford's two games last week.

Samford and UT Martin are meeting for the 12th time with UTM holding an 8-3 advantage in the series. Earlier this season, Samford won at UT Martin, 62-46, on Jan. 5. The win was Samford's first win at UT Martin. Samford is led in scoring by London, averaging 12.2 points per game. Sophomore guard Monica Maxwell is second in scoring with an average of 9.8 points per game.

Freshman Savannah Hill leads the team in rebounding, pulling down 4.9 rebounds per game. Maxwell is second with an average of 4.4 boards per contest.

Senior Taryn Towns is the team-leader in assists, dishing out 3.5 assists per game. London is second in the category with an average of 2.5 assists per game.

Samford players rank in the top five in the OVC in several statistical categories. London ranks second in three-point field goal percentage (48.0%), fourth in field goal percentage (51.4%), and she is tied for fourth in both free-throw percentage (84.3%) and three-point field goals made per game (1.89 pg.).

Maxwell is tied for fourth in three-point field goals made per game (1.89 pg.), and Towns ranks third in the league in assist-turnover ratio (1.83).

Thursday's game is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. start from the Pete Hanna Center. The game can be heard locally on WVSU-FM 91.1, and it can be viewed on the internet at www.ovcsports.tv.