ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Samford women's basketball rallied from an early double-digit deficit to defeat top-seeded Chattanooga 72-67 on Sunday morning at Harrah's Cherokee Center, capturing the Southern Conference Tournament championship and securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs improved to 16-18 overall with their third consecutive win.
Chattanooga raced out to a 14-3 lead in the first quarter, but Samford found its footing behind a barrage of three-pointers, closing the opening period trailing by just three. The Bulldogs tightened up defensively in the second quarter, holding Chattanooga to seven points while moving in front 35-27 at halftime. In the third quarter, Samford's offense exploded for 19 points, building a 13-point advantage—their largest of the day. Chattanooga mounted a late charge, but Samford sank 12-of-13 free throws, including two crucial makes from Briana Rivera in the final seconds, to hold off the Mocs and seal the win.
Freshman Kaylee Yarbrough delivered a career performance on the biggest stage, scoring 25 points off the bench and matching her season high with five made three-pointers. Francie Morris added 22 points and six rebounds in a career-high 35 minutes, while Sierra Godbolt chipped in 12 points, five rebounds and three assists across a season-high 40 minutes. The Bulldogs shot 58.8 percent from beyond the arc (10-for-17) and scored 27 points off the bench.
This victory marks Samford's first Southern Conference title under head coach Matt Wise, who wins the championship in his debut season. The Bulldogs upset the preseason favorites, outscoring Chattanooga in points in the paint and showcasing remarkable poise in a tight fourth quarter.
Samford (16-18) will await its NCAA Tournament destination, with March Madness seeding and match up details to be announced soon.
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