GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Samford women's basketball team earned its fifth-straight win with a 73-62 victory at Furman Saturday evening at Hayes Gym on the campus of North Greenville University.
 
With the win, Samford improved its season record to 12-16 overall and 7-5 in Southern Conference play. Furman fell to 14-14 overall and 4-8 in SoCon play.
 
Samford was led in the win by freshman Claire Johnson with 25 points and three assists. Sierra Godbolt scored 12 points and grabbed five rebounds. Godbolt was 10-of-10 from the free throw line in the win.
 
For Furman, Jada Session had 18 points and 11 rebounds. Clare Coyle added 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Paladins.
 
Samford jumped out to an early 8-5 lead with 7:17 to go in the first quarter following a three-pointer by Aubrey Blankenship. Furman fought back to tie the score at 13-13 with 2:16 left in the opening period after a jumper by Coyle. Samford held an 18-15 lead at the end of the first quarter.
 
The Bulldogs built a nine-point lead at 26-17 with 8:11 to go in the second quarter after a three-point play by Alonya Waldon. Furman came back to cut the lead to five points at 31-26 at the 3:41 mark in the second period after a jumper by Kate Johnson. Samford pushed the lead back out to nine at 35-26 after a layup by Claire Johnson with 2:31 left in the second quarter. The Bulldogs led by 13 points at 42-29 after a three-pointer by Sadie Stetson with 49 seconds left before halftime. Samford took a 42-31 lead into the locker room at halftime.
 
Samford built a 17-point lead at 48-31 with 9:25 left in the third quarter following a three-pointer by Johnson. The Bulldogs extended their lead to 21 points at 59-38 with 4:11 left in the third quarter following a pair of free throws by Godbolt. Furman then scored eight-straight points to cut the lead to 13 at 59-46 with 2:23 left in the period after a three-pointer by Sydney Ryan. Samford held a 63-50 lead at the end of the third period.
 
Furman cut the lead to 12 points at 63-51 with 8:40 to go after a free throw by Raina McGowens. Samford pushed the lead back out to 16 at 69-53 with 6:24 left after a layup by Kenndy Langham. Furman scored the next five points to cut the lead to 11 at 69-58 with 4:12 to go after a layup by Session. Furman closed to within 10 points twice late, but the Paladins could get no closer as Samford closed out the 73-62 win.
 
Samford will return home to play host to the UNC Greensboro Spartans next Thursday, Feb. 27. The game is set for a 6 p.m. start from the Pete Hanna Center.
 
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).