Dec. 9, 2004

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford women's basketball team built a big lead, but had to hold off a late rally to defeat Nicholls State, 52-47, Thursday night at Seibert Hall.

"I thought we did an outstanding job, initially, of being ready to play," Samford head coach Mike Morris said. "I thought we came out well and took some good shots early. What I was disappointed in was the way we finished the game. We are better than that, and that was what I said to our players.

"Veronica Pike gave us a great lift in scoring," Morris said. "C.B. (Cora Beth Smith) stepped up and made some big free throws. I thought LaBrena Friend's defensive energy, was a big part of our defense. It was a good win for us, because, obviously, we are a little short-handed, and they fought through that. It was a solid win."

Samford (5-1) was led by Pike with 11 points and Smith with 10 points. For Nicholls State (2-3), Jamie Octave and LaToya Steele scored nine points apiece.

The game was close throughout most of the first half, with neither team leading by more than five points for most of the way. With Samford trailing, 20-19, the Bulldogs closed the half on a 10-0 run to take a 29-20 lead into halftime.

Samford scored the first nine points of the second half to push its lead to 18 at 38-20 on a layup by LaBrena Friend. Nicholls State climbed back in the game, cutting the lead to three points with less than a minute left at 50-47 on a three-pointer by Steele. However, two free throws by Smith secured the 52-47 victory for the Bulldogs.

Samford will return to action on Sunday, December 12, when the Bulldogs play at Alabama State. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m. at the Joe L. Reed Acadome in Montgomery, Ala. The game can be heard locally on WVSU-FM 91.1, or worldwide on the internet at www.samfordsports.com.