Feb. 12, 2011

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford women's basketball team dropped a 61-53 decision to the Southern Conference leading Appalachian State Mountaineers Saturday afternoon in the Pete Hanna Center.

Samford committed 30 turnovers in the game, compared to 19 for Appalachian State. ASU had 19 steals in the game, while Samford managed six steals.

"I was pleased with our team in that we didn't give up," Samford head coach Mike Morris said. "That speaks volume for the character of our team. We didn't quit by any stretch of the imagination.

"I was disappointed with the 30 turnovers," Morris said. "It was just absolutely disappointing the way we handled their pressure. We were not tough enough with the ball and that really led to a lot of things. Our team played hard, but we have to be tougher than that."

Samford was led in scoring by Paige Anderson with 17 points. Anderson made 8-of-8 attempts from the free-throw line in the game. Emily London scored 11 points, while Savannah Hill added nine points and nine rebounds. The game was the Senior Day game for London and Hill, who were honored prior to the game.

For Appalachian State, Sam Ramirez led the way with 18 points. Ashlen Dewart scored 16 points and pulled down eight rebounds, while Anna Freeman added 12 points for the Mountaineers.

Appalachian State jumped out to an early lead at 6-2 with 16:37 to go in the first half after a layup by Kelsey Sharkey. Samford fought back to tie the score at 8-8 with 12:59 left in the first half following a layup by Hannah Dawson.

The Mountaineers then went on an 11-0 run to take a 19-8 lead with 9:15 to go in the first half after a layup by Freeman. Samford scored the next six points in a row to cut the lead to five at 19-14 with 6:21 left in the opening half after a three-pointer by London.

ASU came back with a 9-0 run to push its lead out to 14 points at 28-14 with 2:17 to go before halftime after a pair of free throws by Chakeitha Weldon. Appalachian State took a 33-18 lead into halftime.

Samford opened the second half with a 10-2 run to cut the ASU lead to seven points at 35-28 with 13:56 left in the game after a jumper by London. Appalachian State pushed its lead back out to 15 points at 46-31 with 8:45 to go after a layup by Dewart.

With ASU leading, 53-41, Samford went on an 8-0 run to cut the Mountaineers' lead to four points at 53-49 with 2:24 to go following a pair of free throws by Anderson. The Bulldogs, however, could get no closer as ASU made its free throws down the stretch to pull out the 61-53 win.

The loss snaps a seven-game win streak for Samford and drops the Bulldogs' record to 19-7 overall and 12-5 in SoCon play. ASU earned its 10th-straight win and improved to 20-4 overall and 14-2 in league play.

Samford will return to action on Monday evening when the Bulldogs play host to Davidson. The game is Samford's Pink Zone game, to benefit breast cancer research and awareness. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start from the Pete Hanna Center.