BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Over the last several weeks, we at SamfordSports.com have been taking a look back at some of the biggest wins by Samford teams throughout the years in a series sponsored by America's First Federal Credit Union. Today, we will continue the series by looking at a recent win over a Power 5 program by the women's basketball team.
On Dec. 22, 2016, the Samford women's basketball team upended Georgia, 65-59, in Stegeman Coliseum.
In the win, Samford was led by freshman
Samantha Fitzgerald with 14 points and five rebounds. Junior
Hannah Nichols and freshman
Katie Allen scored 13 points each. Junior
Kassidy Blevins scored 11 points, while senior
Brittany Stevens added nine points and five assists.
For Georgia, Caliya Robinson led the way with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Stephanie Paul and Haley Clark added seven points each.
Samford got off to a fast start, scoring the first seven points of the first quarter. Georgia fought back to cut the lead to two points at 10-8 with 1:32 left in the period. After one quarter, Samford led, 13-8.
In the second quarter, Georgia came back to take a six-point lead at 24-18 with 3:54 left in the quarter. Samford fought back to cut the lead to one point at 26-25 with 1:39 left in the period. At halftime, Georgia led by a score of 31-27.
Georgia led for most of the third quarter, but Samford fought back to tie the score at 35-35 with 5:01 left in the quarter. Georgia came back to take a three-point lead at 38-35 with 4:14 left in the period. With Georgia leading, 42-41, Stevens hit a three-pointer at the third-quarter buzzer to give Samford a 44-42 lead heading into the final period.
The teams traded baskets early in the fourth quarter. Samford built its lead out to five points at 58-53 and 60-55 late in the period. Free throws by Fitzgerald, Blevins and Stevens down the stretch helped Samford hold on for the 65-59 win.
As a team, Samford made 46.0 percent of its shots overall and 40.0 percent from three-point range. Georgia shot 38.2 percent overall and 11.1 percent from beyond the arc. Samford made 81.3 percent of its free-throw attempts, while Georgia shot 66.7 percent from the charity stripe.
