CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Samford women's basketball team dropped a Southern Conference road contest to league-leading Chattanooga on Saturday afternoon at McKenzie Arena, falling 61-40.

With the loss, the Bulldogs move to 8–16 overall and 1–6 in SoCon play, while the Mocs improve to 15–5 and remain unbeaten in conference action at 7–0.

Samford battled early and kept the game within reach through the first half, trailing just 28–22 at the break. The Bulldogs showed defensive grit in the opening two quarters, limiting Chattanooga's interior looks and forcing several turnovers to stay within striking distance.

Briana Rivera paced the Bulldogs offensively, finishing with a team-high 12 points while knocking down three shots from beyond the arc and going a perfect 3-for-3 at the free-throw line. Kaylee Yarbrough added nine points and contributed on the defensive end with a pair of steals and a block. 

Samford made its strongest push in the third quarter, trimming the deficit to a single possession midway through the period after a series of free throws from Rivera and Yarbrough. The Bulldogs capitalized on Chattanooga turnovers and briefly shifted momentum with improved ball movement and second-chance opportunities in the paint.

However, Chattanooga responded with a decisive fourth quarter, outscoring Samford 17-5 over the final ten minutes.

Chattanooga was led by Izzy McPherson's 20-point performance, highlighted by six three-pointers, as the Mocs shot over 43 percent from the field for the game.

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