BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Samford senior guard Andrea Cournoyer scored 29 points to lead the Bulldog women's basketball team to a 71-59 win over Southern Mississippi Saturday evening in the Pete Hanna Center.

Cournoyer made 9-of-13 shots from the floor, including 5-of-6 from three-point range. She also pulled down six rebounds in the win. Kathleen Wheeler had 10 points, six rebounds and five assists.

For Southern Mississippi, Domonique Davis had 17 points and six rebounds. Melyia Grayson had 13 points and seven rebounds for the Golden Eagles.

Samford jumped out to an early 9-6 lead with 7:09 to go in the first quarter following a three-pointer by Cournoyer. Samford led by as many as four points in the first quarter at 11-7, but Southern Mississippi came back to tie the game at 13-13 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Southern Miss took a six-point lead at 22-16 with 5:28 to go in the period after a pair of free throws by Grayson. Samford then went on a 9-2 run to take a 27-24 lead at the 1:46 mark in the third quarter after a layup by Cournoyer. Samford took a 30-28 lead going into the locker room at halftime.

Samford pushed its lead to six points at 39-33 with 6:28 to go in the third quarter following a layup by Sussy Ngulefac. The Bulldogs stretched their lead to 48-40 and the team took a 48-42 lead at the end of the third quarter.

The Bulldogs pushed their lead to 13 points at 63-50 with 3:36 to go in the quarter after a free throw by Ngulefac. Samford led by as many as 14 points in the fourth quarter and the team finished with a 71-59 victory.

Samford will next play at Alabama State on Dec. 7. The game is set for a 5:30 p.m. start from Montgomery, Ala.

FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS

For the latest news and information on Samford women's basketball, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordWomensBasketball (Facebook), @SamfordWBB (Instagram) and @SamfordWBB (Twitter).