TROY, Ala. – The Samford women's basketball team went on the road for the first time this season and picked up an impressive 65-61 win at in-state rival Troy Tuesday evening at Trojan Arena.
With the win, Samford improved to 3-0 on the young season. Troy fell to 0-2 with the loss.
"This was a huge, tough and gutsy win by our team," Samford head coach Carley Kuhns said. "To hold that team to six offensive rebounds in the second half, for Kennedy (Langham), as a freshman, to carry our offense in the first half, for Tootie (Kiersten Nelson) to go perfect from the field in a hostile environment, for Sadie (Stetson) to give us terrific defense with her five steals and for Lexie (Pritchard) to go 6-for-6 on free throws down the stretch, that's Samford women's basketball. I'm so proud of our defense. We played through their physicality and made so many extra-effort plays."
Samford was led by graduate transfer Lexie Pritchard with a career-high 19 points. Carly Heidger had 13 points and six rebounds. Kennedy Langham had a career-high 12 points and a career-high six rebounds, while Kiersten Nelson had 11 points and eight rebounds, tying her career high. Masyn Marchbanks added 10 points.
For Troy, Ja'mia Hollings led the way with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Tai'Sheka Porchia added 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Trojans.
After falling behind early, 5-0, Samford answered with a 10-2 run to take a 10-7 lead with 4:12 to go in the first quarter after a free throw by Langham. The Trojans then went on an 8-0 run to take a 15-10 lead at the 1:56 mark in the first period on a jumper by Leilani Guion. Samford closed the lead to two at 16-14 at the end of the first quarter.
After Troy pushed its lead to 18-14 early in the second quarter, Samford went on a 13-2 run to take a 27-20 lead with 2:35 left before halftime after a layup by Langham. Samford held a 28-21 lead heading into the locker room at halftime.
Troy cut the Samford lead to three points at 28-25 with 7:54 left in the third quarter following a jumper by Hollings. The Bulldogs pushed their lead back out to eight points at 40-32 with 2:05 left in the third period after a free throw by Langham. Troy cut the Samford lead to 42-37 at the end of the third period.
In the fourth quarter, Troy tied the score at 46-46 with 6:03 to play after a free throw by Shaulana Wagner. Nelson then hit two free throws to give Samford a 48-46 lead, but Troy's Guion hit a three-pointer to give the Trojans a 49-48 lead with 5:13 to play. Marchbanks answered with a three-pointer of her own to give Samford a 51-49 lead at the 4:49 mark.
Troy came back to take a 53-52 lead with 3:41 left after a layup by Porchia. With the score tied at 55-55, Samford went on an 8-1 run to take a 63-56 lead with 13 seconds to go after a pair of free throws by Pritchard. Samford closed the game with the 65-61 victory.
Samford will return to the Pete Hanna Center to play host to Alabama State on Saturday, Nov. 18. The game is set for a 5 p.m. start.
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