BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford women's basketball team shot 54 percent in the second half to overcome a seven-point halftime deficit to earn a 62-53 win over UNC Greensboro Saturday afternoon in the Pete Hanna Center.
 
With the win, Samford improved to 10-9 overall and 2-2 in Southern Conference play. UNCG fell to 13-6 overall and 2-2 in league action.
 
"I was really proud of this team and the way it bounced back," Samford head coach Carley Kuhns said. "They got off to a hot start, but we didn't fold. We punched back and kind of just settled in the rest of the game."
 
Samford was led in the win by Kennedy Langham with 15 points. Sadie Stetson scored 12 points for the Bulldogs. Carly Heidger had eight points, six rebounds and four assists, while Emily Bowman had eight points and seven rebounds. Alonya Waldon also added eight points for Samford.
 
Jayde Gamble led UNC Greensboro with 20 points. Kelly Boyle added 10 points for the Spartans.
 
UNC Greensboro jumped out to an early 15-4 lead with 4:04 left in the first quarter after a three-pointer by Gamble. Samford answered with a 12-0 run to take a 16-15 lead with 1:10 left in the opening period after a layup by Langham. The teams were tied at 18-18 at the end of the first quarter.
 
The Spartans opened the second quarter with a 6-0 run to take a 24-18 lead with 6:45 to go in the period after a pair of free throws by Nia Howard. With UNCG leading, 30-20, Samford scored five of the final seven points of the second quarter to cut the lead to 32-25 heading into the locker room at halftime.
 
Samford opened the third quarter with a 12-0 run to take a 37-32 lead with 4:24 to go in the period after a jumper by Heidger. After a UNCG three-pointer cut the lead to 37-35, Samford went on a 6-0 run to push its lead to 43-35 with 2:11 left in the third quarter after a pair of free throws by Waldon. Samford held a 47-39 lead at the end of the third quarter.
 
In the fourth quarter, Samford pushed its lead out to 13 points at 54-41 with 5:57 to go after a three-pointer by Stetson. UNC Greensboro fought back to cut the lead to eight points at 61-53 with 1:15 to play, but Samford held on for the 62-53 win.
 
Samford will next travel to Greenville, S.C., to take on the Furman Paladins on Thursday, Jan. 25. The game is set for a 6 p.m. (CT) start from Timmons Arena.




 
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).