BOX SCORE (PDF)

HIGHLIGHTS

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford women's basketball team forced 22 turnovers in a strong defensive effort that led to a 48-42 win over Memphis Sunday afternoon in the Pete Hanna Center.
 
"I thought we defended very well today," Samford head coach Mike Morris said. "We really did a good job of containing their size around the goal. Overall, for 40 minutes, I thought we defended well. I am very pleased with that. It was a team effort. We forced 22 turnovers, and that was a big part of the game, because we were struggling offensively."
 
Kassidy Blevins led Samford with 16 points and seven rebounds. Hannah Nichols scored 12 points, while Charity Brown added 10 points for the Bulldogs. Brittany Stevens had five steals and three assists in the win.
 
"Offensively, I thought we hit some big shots down the stretch," Morris said. "Obviously, Kassidy Blevins made some big shots. Charity Brown made some big shots. Hannah (Nichols) made some big shots, and those are three that can really get out and score. This was a good win for our team."
 
Memphis was led by Cheyenne Creighton with 13 points. Brea Elmore scored 10 points, and Breigha Wilder-Cochran added seven points for the visitors.
 
Memphis jumped out to an early 6-3 lead with 5:24 left in the first quarter after a layup by Elmore. Samford scored the next five points to take an 8-6 lead with 1:03 to go in the quarter after a layup by Nichols. A late three-pointer by Memphis gave the Tigers a 9-8 advantage after one quarter.
 
The teams traded baskets early in the second quarter. Samford took the lead for good at 16-13 on a three-pointer by Blevins with 4:01 to go in the second quarter. Samford took an 18-15 advantage into the locker room at halftime.
 
After Memphis cut the Samford lead to one point at 18-17 early in the third quarter, Samford scored the next five points to take a 23-17 lead with 5:52 left in the period after a three-pointer by Blevins. Memphis fought back to cut the lead to one at 24-23 with 3:17 left in the third after a jumper by Creighton. Samford went on a 9-2 run to take a 33-25 lead with 34 seconds left in the period after a three-pointer by Brown. Samford led, 33-27, after three quarters.
 
Samford pushed its lead to nine points at 36-27 with 8:50 left in the game after a three-pointer by Cassidy Williams. With Samford leading, 38-29, Memphis went on an 8-0 run to cut the lead to one at 38-37 with 4:09 to go after a pair of free throws by Elmore. Samford pushed the lead back out to five points at 42-37 with 2:16 to go after two free throws by Nichols.
 
Memphis cut the lead to two points again at 44-42 with 1:02 left following a layup by Elmore. Samford scored the final four points of the game to pull away for the 48-42 victory in the team's home opener.
 
As a team, Samford shot 29.8 percent from the floor, while Memphis made 38.1 percent of its shots. Memphis won the rebounding battle, 35-27. Samford forced Memphis into 22 turnovers, while committing 13 of its own.
 
Samford will return to action on Nov. 18, when the Bulldogs play at Harvard. The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. (CT) tip. Samford's next home game will be Nov. 23, when the Bulldogs host UT Martin at 12 p.m. in the Pete Hanna Center.
 
To purchase tickets for the 2016-17 Samford women's basketball season, click on the following link: WBB SEASON TICKETS.