Nov. 13, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford women's basketball team will open the 2008-09 season with a game at in-state rival Jacksonville State Friday night at 7 p.m. at JSU's Pete Mathews Coliseum.

The game is the 26th meeting between Samford and Jacksonville State, with JSU holding a 13-12 advantage in the series.

The game marks the first time the teams have met in a non-conference game, as Samford left the Ohio Valley Conference after last season to move to the Southern Conference. Prior to their time in the OVC, the teams were co-members of the Atlantic Sun Conference.

"(JSU Coach) Becky (Geyer) and I both decided that we would continue to play after we left the OVC," Samford head coach Mike Morris said. "I think it is very important to play because I think it is a good, natural rivalry. We are going to their place this year, they will come to our place next year and I think we will continue to play every year."

Last season, Samford and Jacksonville State split the season series, with each team winning on the road. JSU won the first meeting, 76-63, in the Pete Hanna Center. Samford took the game in Jacksonville by a score of 67-56.

Samford played one exhibition game prior to the start of the season. The Bulldogs defeated Montevallo, 79-57 on Nov. 6 at the Hanna Center. Emily London led Samford with 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Karmen Smith had 13 points and Monica Maxwell added 12 points.

JSU won its lone exhibition game, defeating Miles College, 102-62, on Nov. 3. Jolie Efezokhae led the Gamecocks with 33 points. Zenobia Pitts followed with 16 points for JSU.

Samford returns six of the top eight scorers off last year's team, which set a school record with 23 wins (23-9). London, who was named the 2008 OVC Freshman of the year, led the team in scoring last year with an average of 12.2 points per game. Maxwell (10.7 ppg.) and Savannah Hill (9.8 ppg.) followed London as the team's leading scorers.

Hill was the Bulldogs' leading rebounder last year, pulling down 4.6 boards per contest. Chika Okoli was second in rebounding, with an average of 4.1 rebounds per game.

Samford welcomes four newcomers to the team this year as well. The four signees for this season are Paige Anderson (G, 5-7, Piedmont, Ala.), J'Quita Babineaux (F, 5-11, Springfield, Va.), Jazmine Powers (G, 5-4, Decatur, Ala.) and Erin Hogue (F, 5-11, Birmingham, Ala.).

Jacksonville State was 11-19 overall last season. The Gamecocks return all five starters and 11 of 13 letterwinners from last year's team.