VIDEO RECAP

ASHEVILLE, N.C.— The third-seeded Samford women's basketball team fought back from a 13-point third-quarter deficit to take the lead late in the period, but the Bulldogs couldn't hang an as they eventually fell to second-seeded Chattanooga in the semifinals of the SoCon Tournament Friday afternoon at the U.S. Cellular Center.
 
"It's definitely disappointing for our team and our young ladies to lose," Samford head coach Mike Morris said. "I was pleased with how our team responded in the second half, we could have easily quit. For us to take the lead late in the third quarter, I think deserves credit, and I thought we had a chance there. We got beat by a very good team."
 
Samford was led in the game by sophomore guard Kassidy Blevins with 18 points, making 6-of-11 shots overall and 4-of-8 from three-point range. Senior Amara Mayers scored 11 points, while senior Taylor Reece added eight points for the Bulldogs.
 
Chattanooga was led by Jasmine Joyner with 17 points, 13 rebounds and eight blocked shots. Queen Alford scored 14 points, while Keiana Gilbert added seven points and 10 rebounds.
 
The teams traded baskets early until, with Samford leading, 7-5, Chattanooga went on a 9-0 run to close the first quarter with a 14-7 lead. During the run, Samford missed its final six shots of the first quarter.
 
In the second quarter, Chattanooga pushed its lead out to 11 points at 21-10 with 5:34 left in the period after a free throw by Moses Johnson. The Mocs led by as many as 14 points in the second quarter at 29-15. A late three-pointer by Reece cut the lead to 29-18 heading into the locker room at halftime.
 
Chattanooga pushed its lead to 13 points at 31-18 early in the third quarter. With UTC leading, 35-23, Samford went on an 11-0 run to cut the lead to just one point at 35-34 with 3:17 left in the period after a jumper by Blevins. With Chattanooga leading, 37-36, a jumper by Blevins with 36 seconds left in the period gave Samford a 38-37 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
 
Both teams started the fourth quarter off cold, as neither team scored until Chattanooga's Alford hit layup with 7:25 to go to give the Mocs a 39-38 lead. UTC pushed the lead out to five at 43-38, but Reece answered with a three-pointer to cut the lead to 43-41 with 5:07 to go. Chattanooga scored the final six points down the stretch to pull away for the 49-41 win.
 
As a team, Samford shot 31.8 percent overall and 40.9 percent from three-point range. Chattanooga hit 35.4 percent of its shots overall and 15.4 percent from beyond the arc. The Mocs won the rebounding battle, 39-25.
 
With the loss, Samford is eliminated from the SoCon Tournament and the Bulldogs fall to 20-11 on the season. This marked the first 20-win season for Samford since 2012. Chattanooga improves to 23-7 and the Mocs advance to Sunday's tournament title game against top-seeded Mercer.