NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Samford women's basketball team dropped a 71-52 decision to UCLA on the final day of the Tulane/Double Tree Classic Friday evening at Devlin Fieldhouse.
 
"Sometimes the other team is just better," Samford Head Coach Mike Morris said. "UCLA, with their size and their skill is really good around the goal. Sometimes they're a little bigger and a little better. I thought our effort was good at times. As much as anything else, the other team was pretty good."
 
In the loss, Samford was led by Hannah Nichols with 12 points. Destiney Elliott and Amara Mayers scored 10 points each, while Krista Stricklin added eight points for the Bulldogs.
 
For UCLA, Nirra Fields led the way with 21 points. Jordin Canada scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Bruins.
 
UCLA jumped out to an early 9-0 lead with 14:32 left in the first half after two free throws by Kari Korver. Samford fought back to cut the lead to six at 9-3 and 11-5. The Bruins, however, pushed their lead out to as much as 15 points at 22-7 with 7:58 left in the half after a layup by Fields.
 
With Samford trailing, 30-19, the Bulldogs began to climb back into the game. Samford closed the half with an 11-3 run to cut UCLA's lead to three points at 33-30 heading into halftime.
 
UCLA opened the second half with an 8-0 run to push its lead back out to 11 points at 41-30 with 18:10 to go after a layup by Recee' Caldwell. After Samford cut the lead to eight at 43-35, UCLA went on a 10-2 run to take a 16-point lead at 53-37 with 12:50 left in the game following a layup by Canada.
 
UCLA eventually built its second-half lead to 21 points at 65-44 and 67-46. Samford could get no closer than 17 points the rest of the way as the Bruins came away with the 71-52 win.
 
Samford committed 29 turnovers in the loss. The Bulldogs made 37.0 of their shots from the floor, and UCLA won the rebounding battle, 32-30.
 
With the loss, Samford falls to 5-6 on the season. UCLA improves to 4-5 with the win.
 
Samford will return to action on Sunday, Dec. 21, when the Bulldogs play host to Alabama State. The game is scheduled for a 12 p.m. start from the Pete Hanna Center.