CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.— The Samford women's basketball team shot just 24.4 percent in a 53-30 loss at Chattanooga Wednesday evening in Southern Conference action at The McKenzie Arena.
 
"I thought Chattanooga played better than they did when they came to our place, and we, obviously, didn't play as well," Samford head coach Mike Morris said. "Our girls did a good job of getting around the goal, but we just didn't finish enough."
 
In addition to the overall shooting woes, Samford made just 13.3 percent of its three-pointers, and the Bulldogs shot just 46.2 percent from the free-throw line. Chattanooga made 40.8 percent of its shots, including 45.5 percent from beyond the arc.
 
Individually for Samford, Ellen Riggins and Brittany Stevens led the way with six points each. Riggins also shared the team lead in rebounding with Krista Stricklin with five each.
 
Chattanooga was led by Queen Alford with 18 points and nine rebounds. Keiana Gilbert scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Alicia Payne added nine points for the Mocs.
 
Samford started the first quarter well, grabbing an early 6-3 lead with 4:38 to go in the period after a free throw by Riggins. Chattanooga, however, went on a 10-0 run to take a 13-6 lead with 52 seconds to go in the quarter after a layup by Payne. Chattanooga held a 13-8 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
 
Chattanooga pushed its lead out to 10 points at 20-10 with 7:05 to go in the second quarter after a free throw by Alford. After Samford cut the lead to seven points at 20-13, Chattanooga closed the quarter with a 7-0 run to take a 27-13 lead into the locker room at halftime.
 
In the third quarter, Chattanooga increased its advantage to 20 points at 34-14 with 5:37 left in the period following a jumper by Gilbert. Samford cut the lead to 18 points on three occasions in the third quarter, but Chattanooga took a 43-21 lead into the fourth quarter.
 
Chattanooga pushed its lead to as much as 25 points in the fourth quarter at 46-21 with 9:03 to go after a three-pointer by Payne. Samford could get no closer than 21 points in the final quarter and Chattanooga came away with the 53-30 win.
 
The 30-point total is Samford's lowest in a SoCon game since joining the league in 2008-09. The total is also tied for the lowest in any game in program history. The Bulldogs dropped an 82-30 decision at Georgia State on Jan. 18, 2001.
 
With the loss, Samford drops to 16-10 overall and 8-3 in SoCon play. Chattanooga improves to 19-7 overall and 10-2 in league games.
 
Samford will return to action on Saturday, Feb. 20, when the Bulldogs play at East Tennessee State. The game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. (CT) start from Johnson City, Tenn.