BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Today we continue a new series called Student-Athlete Spotlight, presented by Coca-Cola, that will highlight Samford's outstanding student-athletes. Today's episode features women's basketball senior Natalie Armstrong.
 
Armstrong recently became just the ninth player in program history to score over 1,000 career points. She talked about what reaching the milestone meant to her.
 
"It's really awesome, it's also a really good accomplishment for our program as a whole," Armstrong said. "It was really fun. I didn't really necessarily know when it was coming, but it was fun to know that I got there because I honestly didn't even know that I was getting close this season. It was just a gradual build up throughout my years, so it was really fun and really cool."


 
Armstrong said it was not until the last few weeks that she realized she was getting close to the 1,000-point barrier.
 
"I think it was two weeks before it happened," Armstrong said. "I know we had a home game, I forgot who we were playing, but someone came up to me and told me that in the next few games I could reach it. Obviously, I did have a few off games, but we finally got there."
 
The Bulldogs enter this week on a five-game win streak. The team is 6-6 overall and 3-0 in Southern Conference play heading into two games at Chattanooga this week.
 
"I think it's been really fun," Armstrong said. "Pretty much all of our puzzle pieces are coming together. We're all working well together, and just to see the five-straight wins, it's been fun to see how consistent we can be and what we're capable of."
 
Armstrong entered this season as a preseason All-SoCon selection after leading the team to the SoCon title last season. She talked a little about her expectations heading into the year.
 
"The consistent expectation I put on myself is to lead by example," Armstrong said. "To play consistently, but obviously I've had a few missteps on that this season. Especially in conference play, my goal will be to just lead by example. Being on the team last year and seeing what we need to do, we've shown as a team what we can do by our consistent play these last five games. So we just need to stay on track and keep pushing because every game matters."
 
Several newcomers have stepped up this season to contribute so far. Armstrong talked about the benefit of having depth and everyone playing for each other.
 
"I think it goes along with one of our team mottos that we picked for this season of having your back," Armstrong said. "I also think that it's the beauty of playing for Samford. Some programs have one star and it's all on them, if they're not playing then you're not winning. But the beauty of playing on our team is, one person could have a bad game, and the next person is going to pick up where they left off."
 
Samford will play at Chattanooga both Thursday and Saturday of this week. Armstrong talked a little about the matchup.
 
"They definitely will be a challenge for us," Armstrong said. "It will be a good checkpoint for us to see where we are and to prove how consistent we can be and what we are capable of against one of the top teams in our conference."