Jan. 18, 2003

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Brandi Miller recorded her second straight double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds to lead Belmont past Samford, 52-48, Saturday afternoon in Atlantic Sun women's basketball action at Seibert Hall. The Bulldogs fell to 4-10 and 0-3 in the Atlantic Sun while Belmont improved to 10-3 and 2-1 in the conference.

Lindsey Harris and Giovanni Price each scored 12 points while Cora Beth Smith added 10 points for Samford. Chasity Campbell finished with 10 points for Belmont. Samford held Belmont to a season-low 52 points, but the Bulldogs committed 18 turnovers.

The Bulldogs trailed 49-45 with 15 seconds remaining in the game. Harris hit a 3-pointer from the left corner to cut the deficit to 49-48 with four seconds left. Missy Walker made 3-of-4 free throws in the final seconds to clinch the game for the Lady Bruins.

Samford had opportunities to try to tie or take the lead with under a minute left. Trailing 47-45 with 35 seconds left, Raven Peeples missed the front end of a 1-and-1. Hollie Davis grabbed the rebound and was fouled, but Davis also missed the front end of a 1-and-1. Miller got the rebound and made two free throws to put the Lady Bruins ahead 49-45 with 15 seconds left in the game.

Samford extended its 23-22 halftime lead to 33-29 at the start of the second half. Price scored five points during a 10-5 run. Campbell then rattled off four points and Davis hit a 3-pointer to tying the game, 35-35, with 13:01 left.

After Noot Pittman put the Bulldogs ahead 37-35 with a layup, Belmont went on a 7-0 run for its first lead since the first half at, 44-37, with 8:39 remaining. The Lady Bruins never trailed again.

The Bulldogs overcame an 11-0 deficit at the start of the first half. Davis and Natalie Brown each hit 3-pointers during the run. Belmont led 15-2 with 11:52 left in the first half, before Samford started a 16-2 run to take an 18-15 lead with 5:40 left. Harris knocked down two 3-pointers and Price and Natalie McLendon each made 3-pointers for 12 of Samford's points during the run. After Brown's 3-pointer cut Belmont's deficit to 18-17, Harris made another 3-pointer to give Samford a 21-17 lead with 3:57 remaining in the first half. Price hit a jumper in the lane to give the Bulldogs their final points of the first half and the 23-22 halftime lead.

Samford finished the game shooting 35 percent from field including 38 percent from 3-point range, but the Bulldogs shot a woeful 58 percent from the free-throw line. Belmont only shot 33 percent from the field including 26 percent from 3-point range, but shot 65 percent from the free-throw line. The Lady Bruins held the advantage on the boards, 40-35.

Samford next hits the road for an Atlantic Sun Conference road swing. The Bulldogs play at Campbell Thursday and at Gardner-Webb Saturday. Belmont travels to Gardner-Webb Thursday and Campbell Saturday.