Nov. 13, 2009

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford junior forward Savannah Hill scored 22 points and pulled down nine rebounds to lead the Bulldog women's basketball team to a 59-46, season-opening win over in-state rival Jacksonville State Friday evening at the Pete Hanna Center.

"We won, and that is the most important thing," Samford head coach Mike Morris said. "Generally, I was pleased with our defense. Particularly in the second half when we held them to 28 percent. We only gave up four offensive rebounds, so I was really pleased with our team's effort defensively.

"Offensively, we struggled," Morris said. "We got out of our rhythm a little. But, down the stretch, we had Emily (London) and Monica (Maxwell) make some big plays and Savannah came up big with 22 points. Also, we were 14-for-15 from the free throw line and that is how you have to win games."

Behind Hill for Samford, Monica Maxwell scored 14 points. Emily London had seven points, six rebounds and three assists.

For Jacksonville State, Zenobia Pitts led the way with 13 points. Karisma Boykin added nine points for JSU. Danielle Beneby led the Gamecocks in rebounding with six.

Samford's defense forced Jacksonville State into 21 turnovers, while the Bulldogs committed 16 turnovers. Samford out-rebounded Jacksonville State, 35-31.

Samford jumped out to an early 16-7 lead with 13:10 to go in the first half after a three-pointer by Hill. Jacksonville State scored the next seven points to cut the lead to two at 16-14 with 9:41 left in the half.

Samford answered with an 8-0 run to push its lead to 10 at 24-14 with 6:33 left in the first half following a three-pointer by Maxwell. JSU then went on a 10-2 run to cut the lead to two at 26-24 with 2:30 to go in the opening period. A three-pointer by Hill and a layup by Megan Wilderotter down the stretch gave Samford a 31-26 lead heading into halftime.

Jacksonville State opened the second half with a 10-4 run to take a 36-35 lead with 14:49 to go in the game. Samford answered with an 8-1 run to take a 43-37 lead with 10:00 to go after a free throw by Hill.

After JSU cut the lead to two at 43-41, Samford went on an 8-0 run to take a 10-point lead at 51-41. The Gamecocks could get no closer than seven the rest of the way as Samford came away with the 59-46 win.

The game marked the second-straight season Samford has opened the season with Jacksonville State. Last season, the Bulldogs defeated the Gamecocks, 68-55 in Jacksonville. Samford now leads the all-time series with JSU, 14-13, and the Bulldogs have won eight of the last nine meetings in the series.

Samford will return to action on Sunday, Nov. 15, when the Bulldogs play at Evansville. The game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start.