GAME NOTES: Samford @ Ole Miss (12.17.21)
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Bulldogs (4-7) face a rematch from last year's WNIT, as Samford travels to Oxford, Miss., on Friday, Dec. 17 to face the Rebels (9-1) of Ole Miss. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. at The Pavilion and the game will be streamed on SEC Network+.
Samford and Ole Miss are meeting for just the third time in the series and the first in the regular season with both teams owning one victory in postseason play. The Rebels posted a 64-45 victory over Samford on March 19, 2021 in the Women's National Invitation Tournament in Memphis, Tenn. The Bulldogs defeated Ole Miss 66-65 on March 18, 2010 in the WNIT.
The Rebels (9-1) come into Friday's clash as one of the hottest teams in the SEC. Ole Miss has won nine in a row after dropping their season-opener to Belmont (62-50). The Rebels have also recorded back-to-back road wins at Cincinnati (75-63) and Hofstra (59-37). In last Saturday's win at Hofstra, Ole Miss held its opponent to the fewest amount of points allowed this season (37).
Ole Miss is averaging 70.8 points per game while coach Yolanda McPhee-McCuin's defensive scheme is holding the opposition to 49.3 points.
Shakira Austin is one two Rebels averaging double figures at 13.6 points per game. The 6-foot-5 senior center is also turning in 9.1 rebounds per game and 2.2 blocks. She scored a game-high 18 at Hofstra and a season-best 24 versus Jackson State earlier this year. Madison Scott (6-1, Soph., F) is chipping in 12.3 points and 5.8 rebounds a game as well.
Samford is coming to the end of a formidable non-conference schedule with games against Ole Miss (12.17), LSU (12.27), and Kennesaw State (12.29) still on the docket.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
The Bulldogs are 4-0 on the season when scoring 75 or more points in a game.
Despite getting the oppositions best defender every night, junior guard
Andrea Cournoyer comes into Friday's game No. 1 in the SoCon in scoring at 17.1 points while also leading in steals (3.4) per game. Cournoyer's 12 points at Troy pushed her past 1,000 in her career. The Merryville, La., native, has 1,081 career points after scoring 489 points in her two seasons at Louisiana-Lafayette and 592 here at Samford. The multi-faceted guard played in 22 games for the Bulldogs while being named the 2020-21 SoCon Player of the Year. Cournoyer averaged a league-high 18.4 points per game while contributing 3.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. She was also a unanimous selection to the All-SoCon First Team.
Natalie Armstrong has moved into sixth place on the Samford all-time scoring list with 1,240 points. The 6-2 center has played in 121 games for the Bulldogs, scoring 1,240 points in her illustrious career. The Norcross, Ga., native, has also cleared 608 career rebounds and blocked 131 shots. She is fifth all-time in school history in rebounds and second in blocks.
Sussy Ngulefac (6-3, Fr., F) is leading the SoCon in Field Goal percentage at 68.8 percent entering the weekend. The Lilburn, Ga., native, continues to grow as an inside threat for the Bulldogs, averaging 6.5 points and 4.3 rebounds. She scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds in Sunday's win over UAB.
Sanaa Redmond enters the week third in the leage in assists at 3.1 per game. The freshman from Philadelphia, Pa., scored a career-high 18 against UAB with three assists.
The Bulldogs are shooting 42.0 percent from the floor to rank No. 1 in the SoCon. Samford has made 259-of-616 attempts so far this season.
Sussy Ngulefac leads the way shooting 68.8 percent (1st) followed by
Natalie Armstrong at 43.9 percent (8th).
Samford is averaging 63.0 points per game to rank third in the SoCon. The Bulldogs are also sixth in scoring defense at 68.5 points allowed per contest. Samford scored a season-high 88 points in an 88-70 victory over Talladega College at the Pete Hanna Center.
Shauntai Battle is having a solid senior season after coming back from an injury-shortened 2020-21 campaign. The Mobile, Ala., native, is averaging 8.6 points per game to rank 13th in the SoCon. She is seventh in 3-point FG made per game (1.5) as well.
Preseason All-SoCon selection and junior forward
Annie Ramil has been a force on the boards, averaging 6.8 rebounds per game, ranking ninth in the league. She turned in a season-high 15 rebounds at No. 9 Iowa.
Mallory Hampton is off to a good start this season, ranking fourth in the SoCon in assists per game (2.8).
UP NEXT: TENNESSEE TECH
The Bulldogs will conclude their two-game pre-Christmas break road swing on Tuesday, Dec. 21, as Samford travels to Tennessee Tech. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.
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