BOX SCORE (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford women's basketball team got off to a slow start, but rebounded with a strong second half to earn a 58-39 win over Alabama State Sunday afternoon at the Pete Hanna Center.
 
With the win, Samford improves to 2-2 on the young season. Alabama State falls to 1-3 with the loss.


 
Samford had three players to score in double figures in the win. Cassidy Williams and Samantha Fitzgerald shared the team lead with 13 points each. Olivia Crozier added 11 points for the Bulldogs. Fitzgerald also grabbed seven rebounds. Charity Brown scored eight points and dished out 10 assists, while Hannah Nichols had eight points and seven rebounds.
 
For Alabama State, Jordyn Holmes had 14 points and 12 rebounds. Shamyiah Smith had seven points, while Tatyana Calhoun scored six points and grabbed seven rebounds.
 
Samford jumped out to an early 10-3 lead with 3:03 to go in the first quarter following a three-pointer by Brown. Alabama State cut the lead to four at 10-6, but a late three-pointer by Brown gave Samford a 13-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.
 
The Bulldogs pushed their lead out to nine points at 15-6 with 9:48 left in the second quarter after a pair of free throws by Williams. Alabama State, however, answered with an 8-0 run to cut the lead to one at 15-14 with 4:42 left in the period after a free throw by Calhoun. The teams were tied at 22-22 heading into the locker room at halftime.
 
The teams traded baskets early in the third quarter until, with the score tied at 27-27, Samford went on an 11-1 run to take a 38-28 lead with 2:38 to go in the quarter after a free throw by Raven Omar. Samford held a 41-30 advantage at the end of the third quarter.
 
In the fourth quarter, Alabama State could get no closer than within nine points. With Samford holding a 48-39 lead, the Bulldogs closed the game with a 10-0 run to pull away for the 58-39 victory.
 
Samford will return to action on Tuesday, Nov. 21, when the Bulldogs play at Belmont. The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start from Nashville, Tenn.
 
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