BOX SCORE (PDF)

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Samford women's basketball team cut a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit to just one point, but could not get over the hump as the Bulldogs fell at Harvard, 57-52, Friday night at Lavietes Pavilion.
 
"We just dug ourselves such a hole," Samford head coach Mike Morris said. "They came at us early and we didn't respond early. We made some adjustments, defensively that helped. We had way too many turnovers in the first half, and they were able to get too many offensive rebounds."
 
Samford trailed, 48-36, heading into the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs fought back to close the deficit to 50-49 with 3:56 left. Harvard scored the next five points to push the lead back to six at 55-49 with 28 seconds left, and the Crimson came away with the 57-52 win.
 
Samford was led in the game by Hannah Nichols with 16 points. Kassidy Blevins scored 15 points, while Ellen Riggins contributed 10 points, a team-high eight rebounds and a team-high five assists.
 
For Harvard, Katie Benzan led the way with 16 points. Destiny Nunley scored 10 points. Kirby Porter added seven points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
 
As a team, Samford shot 34.0 percent from the floor, including an 18.2-percent effort from three-point range. Harvard made 33.3 percent of its shots overall, 38.9 percent from beyond the arc. Harvard won the rebounding battle, 47-36.
 
With the loss, Samford falls to 1-2 on the young season. Harvard improves to 2-1 with the win.
 
Samford will return to action on Sunday, Nov. 20, when the Bulldogs play at Rhode Island. The game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. (CT) start.
 
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.