GREENSBORO, N.C.—The Samford women's basketball team scored the final six points over the last two minutes of the game to pull out a 57-52 Southern Conference road win at UNCG Saturday afternoon at Fleming Gymnasium.
 
"I was really pleased with this basketball team in terms of having a counter-punch," Samford head coach Mike Morris said. "We started out very well and built a lead, but then they fought back. But when we were down one with two minutes to go on the road, we fought back and made some plays. That's what I am proud of, because we showed a lot of toughness."
 
Samford was led in the game by Taylor Reece with 15 points. Destiney Elliott had 11 points and nine rebounds. Kassidy Blevins scored eight points, while Brittany Stevens added seven points for Samford.
 
For UNCG, Lucy Mason led the way with 18 points. Shanese Harris scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds for the Spartans. Jade Scaife added seven points for UNCG.
 
After UNCG took an early 2-0 lead, Samford scored the next 10 points to take a 10-2 lead with 6:47 left in the first quarter following a pair of free throws by Stevens. Samford eventually built a 19-4 lead with 4:26 left in the period after a three-pointer by Blevins. Samford led, 19-7, after one quarter.
 
UNCG opened the second quarter on an 11-2 run to cut the Samford lead to three points at 21-18 with 3:09 to go in the quarter after a layup by Harris. A layup by Elliott and a free throw by Krista Stricklin gave Samford a 24-18 lead heading into the locker room at halftime.
 
In the third quarter, UNCG cut the Samford lead to just two points at 26-24 with 6:19 left in the period after two free throws by Harris. Samford fought back to push its lead back out to seven points at 36-29 with 1:24 left in the period after a jumper by Keke Fletcher. UNCG cut the lead to two points again at 36-34, but a three-pointer by Blevins at the third-quarter buzzer gave Samford a 39-34 lead entering the fourth period.
 
UNCG tied the score at 39-39 with 8:39 to go following a jumper by Jazmine Missouri. Samford took a four-point lead at 43-39 with 7:07 left after a jumper by Ellen Riggins. UNCG took its first lead since early in the first quarter at 44-43 on a basket by Mason with 5:32 remaining in the contest.
 
Samford scored the next four points to take a 47-44 lead with 4:44 left on a jumper by Reece. UNCG fought back to take a 52-51 lead with 2:15 to go following a pair of free throws by Mason. Samford took the lead for good at 53-52 with 1:54 left after a basket by Reece. Stricklin hit three free throws, and Mayers hit one down the stretch as Samford pulled away for the 57-52 victory.
 
As a team, Samford made 40.7 percent of its shots overall, while the Samford defense held UNCG to just 33.3 percent shooting. Samford won the rebounding battle, 34-32, with each team grabbing eight offensive boards.
 
With the win, Samford improves to 10-7 overall and 2-0 in Southern Conference play. UNCG falls to 8-9 overall and 0-2 in league play.
 
Samford will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 16, when the Bulldogs play host to Mercer. The game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start from the Pete Hanna Center.