BOX SCORE (PDF)
ATLANTA, Ga. – The Samford women's basketball team held a 10-point lead early in the fourth quarter, but a late surge by Georgia Tech gave the Yellow Jackets a 62-57 win in the season opener for both teams Friday night in McCamish Arena.
"I was pleased with our team in terms of how we fought and competed," Samford head coach
Mike Morris said. "If that's something we bring every night, we'll be fine. I thought we defended well enough to win, but we had 27 turnovers and that was the game. Turnovers we had gave them some easy buckets. Their pressure got to us a little bit, but overall I'm pleased with how our team played."
Samford was led in the game by
Hannah Nichols with 14 points.
Ellen Riggins scored 13 points,
Kassidy Blevins had 12 points and
Samantha Fitzgerald added 11 points. Fitzgerald led the team in rebounding with six, and
Brittany Stevens had a team-high four assists.
For Georgia Tech, Zaire O'Neil led the way with 16 points. Francesca Pan scored 12 points for the Yellow Jackets, while Imani Tilford and Antonia Peresson added 10 points each.
After falling behind, 3-0, Samford went on a 7-0 run to take a 7-3 lead with 5:53 left in the first quarter after a layup by Blevins. Georgia Tech closes the quarter with a 9-0 run to take a 12-7 lead at the end of one period.
With Georgia Tech leading, 13-7 early in the second quarter, Samford went on a 16-2 run to take a 23-15 lead with 4:12 left in the second quarter following a three-pointer by Fitzgerald. Georgia Tech closed to within two points at 26-24 with 1:07 left in the quarter. Samford took a 29-26 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Samford pushed its lead out to six points at 34-28 with 8:07 left in the third quarter after a three-pointer by
Charity Brown. Georgia Tech fought back to cut the lead to two points at 36-34 with 5:48 left in the period. Samford went on a 9-2 run to push its lead to nine at 45-36 with 2:39 left in the quarter after a pair of free throws by Fitzgerald. Samford held a 47-40 lead after three quarters.
Samford pushed its lead to 10 points at 50-40 following a three-pointer by Nichols with 9:47 left in the game. Georgia Tech came back with a 12-0 run to take a 52-50 lead with 5:13 to go in the contest. A three-pointer by Blevins gave Samford a 53-52 lead at the 4:50 mark in the fourth quarter.
Georgia Tech took the lead back at 54-53 on a jumper by O'Neal with 4:08 to go. With Georgia Tech leading, 56-55, the Yellow Jackets scored the next four points to take a 60-55 lead with 1:38 left in the game. Samford cut the lead to three points at 60-57 on two free throws by Nichols with 20 seconds left, but Samford could get no closer as Georgia Tech pulled out the 62-57 win.
Samford made 44.4 percent of its shots from the floor and 52.6 percent from three-point range. The Bulldogs made 88.2 percent of their free-throw attempts. Samford outrebounded Georgia Tech, 29-25. Samford committed 27 turnovers, to just 10 by Georgia Tech.
Samford will play its first home game on Sunday, Nov. 13, when the Bulldogs host Memphis at 2 p.m. in the Pete Hanna Center.
To purchase season tickets for the 2016-17 Samford women's basketball season, click on the following link:
WBB SEASON TICKETS.
