ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The Samford women's basketball team will face the Chattanooga Mocs in the Southern Conference Tournament Championship Game on March 8 in Asheville, N.C. 

Sunday marks the 46th all-time meeting between Samford and Chattanooga. The teams split their regular-season meetings, setting up a winner-take-all match for the conference crown. 

Chattanooga protected its home floor on Feb. 1 with a 61-40 victory, while Samford answered on Feb. 26 in Birmingham with a 77-70 upset at the Pete Hanna Center. The No. 6-seeded Bulldogs (15-18, 6-8 SoCon) have authored a major run to the final, edging No. 3 seed Wofford, 59-57, in the quarterfinals before stunning No. 2 seed ETSU, 57-48, in the semifinals. Top-seeded Chattanooga (20-9, 10-4 SoCon) advanced after a semifinal win over No. 4 seed Furman, 76-65. 

Samford's offense is fueled by the three-point line, ranking 20th nationally in three-point attempts per game (26.0) and 33rd in threes made per game (8.4). Depth is also a hallmark, with the Bulldogs ranking second in the SoCon in bench points per game (20.4). Guard Briana Rivera has been the nation's premier perimeter threat, leading the NCAA in three-pointers made (108), attempts (296), and threes per game (3.27). In the paint, center Emily Bowman provides critical rim protection, ranking 55th nationally and second in the SoCon in blocks per game (1.54). 

Chattanooga, the tournament's No. 1 seed at 20-9 overall and 10-4 in SoCon play, is a balanced and disciplined group led by the league's top individual performer. Guard Caia Elisaldez, the 2025-26 SoCon Player of the Year, paces the conference in both scoring (16.3 ppg) and assists (5.4 apg), orchestrating the Mocs' attack. Forward Gianna Corbitt adds a powerful interior presence, ranking third in the SoCon in scoring (14.9 ppg) and rebounding (8.2 rpg). 

Tip-off is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT from Harrah's Cherokee Center in Asheville on Sunday. The game will be broadcasted on ESPNU.