HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Samford women's basketball team held Alabama A&M to just 23.3 percent shooting on its way to a 54-30 win Tuesday night at Elmore Gymnasium.
 
"This is a credit to our players in terms of toughness," Samford head coach Mike Morris said. "Not everybody wants to play defense, and we have defended in every game so far. We defended, we took charges; it was a team effort. I'm very pleased with our team from a defensive standpoint."
 
Samford was led offensively in the game by Amara Mayers with 14 points. Taylor Reece added 10 points for the Bulldogs. Destiney Elliott had six points and eight rebounds in the win.
 
For Alabama A&M, Sydney Spencer scored 10 points. Ebony Johnson and Josta Totten added seven points each for A&M.
 
Samford started the game fast, racing out to a 9-0 lead with 4:23 left in the first quarter following a basket by Mayers. Alabama A&M cut the lead to six points at 9-3, but Samford closed the half with a 6-2 run to hold a 15-5 lead after one quarter.
 
In the second quarter, Samford built its lead to 15 points early in the quarter at 22-7 with 6:23 to go before halftime following a three-pointer by Krista Stricklin. Samford held a 29-12 lead heading into the locker room at halftime.
 
Samford pushed its lead out to 23 points at 37-14 with 7:43 left in the third quarter following a layup by Stricklin. Alabama A&M fought back to cut the lead to 20 points at 39-19 with 4:40 left in the period after two free throws by Haniyyah Howard. After three quarters, Samford held a 43-22 advantage.
 
Alabama A&M closed to within 17 points at 45-28 with 3:56 left after a jumper by Totten. Samford scored the next eight points to push its lead to 53-28 with 35 seconds left after a three-pointer by Kassidy Blevins. Samford came away with the 54-30 win.
 
As a team, Samford won the rebounding battle, 37-27. Samford committed just 10 turnovers, while dishing out 14 assists.
 
With the win, Samford improves to 6-2. Alabama A&M falls to 0-5 with the loss.
 
Samford will return to action on Saturday, Dec. 5, when the Bulldogs play at UT Martin. The game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start from Martin, Tenn.