Feb. 28, 2002

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Noot Pittman and Lindsey Harris each recorded career-highs and the Samford Bulldogs put a scare into UCF, but the Golden Knights came from behind to take a 63-60 victory in Atlantic Sun women's basketball action at Seibert Hall Thursday night.

UCF (16-12, 12-7 A-Sun) came into the night in a three-way tie for third place in the Atlantic Sun standings, but it was Samford who took control of the game early. The Bulldogs shot 48 percent in the first half as Pittman scored 11 of her career-best 19 points in the opening period and Harris added a career-high 14 points. The Bulldogs led by as many as 10 points with 2:55 remaining in the first half. UCF cut the lead to six at 34-28 at the break.

Erin Paige led UCF's comeback in the second half. Paige scored 12 of her game-high 22 points in the second stanza. Jessica Scala had 11 points on the night and Ali Roberts chipped in 10 points and seven rebounds for the Golden Knights.

Samford (3-23, 2-17 A-Sun) scored its final points from the floor with 5:01 to play in the game. Pittman hit a jumper to give Samford a 56-55 lead. The Bulldogs final four points would come from the free throw line. Adrienne Billings hit a shot with 3:14 remaining to give UCF a 59-57 lead. A free throw by Harris and back-to-back free throws by Pittman with 2:22 to play gave Samford a 60-59 lead. The Bulldogs had three possessions to increase their lead but came up empty and finally UCF's Lanetra Cooks hit a pull-up jumper with 56 seconds to give UCF the lead for good. Scala made two-free throws with 13 seconds remaining to give the Golden Knights their margin of victory. Sarah Clement and Morgan Vickery each had three-point shots in the closing seconds that missed the mark.

Missed free throws were the story for Samford all game long. The Bulldogs shot just 58 percent (11-19) from the charity stripe. Samford went 5-8 from the line in the final five minutes and were 7-13 in the second half. On the other hand, UCF went 6-7 from the stripe in the final seven minutes and shot 77 percent (13-17) for the game.

UCF had the rebounding edge in the game 36-34 and shot 57 percent in the second half compared to 39 percent in the first half for 47 percent in the game. Samford shot 28 percent in the second half to finish the night at 38 percent from the floor.

Samford will wrap up the season on Saturday against Florida Atlantic. The Bulldogs will honor their two seniors prior to the 2 p.m. tip-off.