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HEAD COACH MIKE MORRIS INTERVIEW

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford women's basketball team earned a hard-fought 52-49 win over cross-town rival UAB Thursday evening in the Pete Hanna Center.
 
"I was very pleased with how our team responded after a tough loss against Belmont (Monday night)," Samford head coach Mike Morris said. "I thought our effort was good. It wasn't pretty at times, but I was just pleased with our overall effort and energy for the game."
 
With the win, Samford improves to 5-5 on the season. The Bulldogs are now 5-1 in the friendly confines of the Pete Hanna Center. UAB falls to 4-3 with the loss.
 
"We had a good crowd," Morris said.  "This was as good of an atmosphere as we've had all year. I was really pleased with the people that came out. Something we've done well over the last 10 or 12 years is win games at home, and that's always important."
 
Samford was led in the game by Hannah Nichols with 16 points. Samantha Fitzgerald had 13 points and six rebounds, while Ellen Riggins added nine points and seven rebounds. Brittany Stevens contributed eight points, seven rebounds and four assists to the win.
 
For UAB, Keonna Farmer scored 19 points and grabbed 17 rebounds. Deanna Kuzmanic added seven points for the Blazers.
 
After falling behind, 4-1 early, Samford went on an 18-4 run to take a 19-8 lead with 2:28 left in the first quarter following a three-pointer by Nichols. Samford held a 21-12 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
 
In the second quarter, UAB cut the Samford lead to five points at 21-16 with 7:30 left in the period after a layup by Kuzmanic. Samford, however went on a 9-2 run to take a 30-18 lead with 2:01 remaining in the quarter. A late UAB free throw cut Samford's lead to 30-19 heading into the locker room at halftime.
 
In the third quarter, UAB outscored Samford, 12-4 to cut the Bulldogs' lead to three points at 34-31 entering the final period.
 
UAB took the lead at 35-34 early in the fourth quarter. The teams traded baskets over the next several minutes until, with UAB leading, 39-38, Samford scored the next eight points to take a 46-39 lead with 2:17 to play after a layup by Stevens.
 
UAB fought back to cut the Samford lead to just two points at 46-44 with 1:21 to play. Stevens then hit a pair of free throws to push the lead back out to 48-44 with 48 seconds to play. A three-pointer by Rachael Childress cut the lead to 48-47 with 32 seconds left. Riggins and Nichols hit a pair of free throws each down the stretch to help Samford hold on for the 52-49 win.
 
As a team, Samford shot 34.0 percent for the game, while UAB shot 33.9 percent. Samford won the rebounding battle, 39-37. Each team tallied 11 assists in the game.
 
Samford will return to action on Dec. 18, when the Bulldogs play at Wake Forest. The game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. (CT) start. Samford's next home game will be Jan. 4, when the team hosts SoCon rival Chattanooga at 6 p.m. in the Pete Hanna Center. To purchase tickets for the Chattanooga game, click here: CHATTANOOGA GAME TICKETS.