BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Samford's Emily Bowman broke two school records and tied a third record as the Bulldog women's basketball team took a 74-66 win over Furman Saturday evening in the Pete Hanna Center.
 
Bowman set the school single-game record with 19 rebounds. She also is now the single-season record holder in blocked shots with 72. Additionally, she tied the school single-game blocks record with seven. In addition to her 19 rebounds and seven blocks, Bowman scored 12 points in the win.
 
"Just an unbelievable stat line for Emily," Samford head coach Carley Kuhns said. "To set two school records and tie a third in one game is pretty awesome."
 
Samford was led in scoring in the game by freshman Kennedy Langham with 22 points. Sadie Stetson tallied 16 points, while Carly Heidger added 10 points. The game was also Senior Day for Samford, as Bowman, Lexie Pritchard, Kiersten Nelson and Rylie Stephens were recognized in pregame ceremonies.
 
"What amazing seniors that we recognized today," Kuhns said. "Those four kids have done a lot for this program, and I just want to take some time to thank them for being here. Overall, it was a well put-together game. Different people stepped up in different moments. We really shared the ball, we had four players in double figures. We're scoring the ball better, we're finding ways to create more scoring opportunities and honestly just being more confident. I think we're trending in the right direction at the right time of the season."
 
Furman was led in the game by Niveya Henley with 18 points. Tate Walters had 15 points, Sydney Ryan tallied 12 points and Kate Johnson added 10 points for the Paladins.
 
Furman jumped out to a 13-7 lead with 4:41 to go in the first quarter following a layup by Johnson. The Paladins held a 19-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.
 
Samford scored the first five points of the second quarter to cut the lead to three points at 19-16 with 8:42 left in the period after a jumper by Pritchard. The Bulldogs closed to within one point at 25-24 with 3:51 left in the second quarter after a three-pointer by Langham. The Paladins, however, stretched the lead to five points at 30-25 heading into the locker room at halftime.
 
Samford opened the third quarter with a 12-3 run to take a 37-33 lead at the 5:59 mark in the period after a free throw by Bowman. The Bulldogs stretched their lead to 10 points at 51-41 with 1:36 left in the third after a three-pointer by Heidger. Samford led, 53-44, at the end of the third quarter.
 
The Bulldogs pushed their lead to 12 points at 59-47 with 7:48 left after a pair of free throws by Langham. Furman fought back to cut the lead to seven points at 63-56 with 4:47 left after two free throws by Henley. Samford extended the lead back out to 12 points at 74-62 with 48 seconds left after two Bowman free throws. The Bulldogs finished with the 74-66 win.
 
With the win, Samford improved its season record to 14-14 overall and 6-7 in Southern Conference play. Furman fell to 14-14 overall and 4-8 in league play.
 
Samford will wrap up its regular season with a game at Mercer, next Saturday, March 2. The game is set for a 1 p.m. (CT) start from Macon, Ga.




 
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