SAMFORD RALLIES FOR 78-75 OT WIN OVER UNA WOMEN

Box Score FLORENCE – After trailing by as many as 15 points in the second half, Samford rallied to tie the game at the end of regulation, then picked up a 78-75 overtime victory over the University of North Alabama women's basketball team Thursday evening at Flowers Hall. The loss leaves UNA with a 5-7 record heading into ASUN Conference play next week.

Against Samford, UNA held a 29-20 lead at the half, and led 40-25 with 4:27 remaining in the third quarter. The Bulldogs, however, rallied after an injury to Skyler Gill early in the fourth quarter. The UNA post player landed awkwardly and left the game with 9:11 remaining in regulation. She did not return.

The Lions led 45-36 at the time but struggled to defend in the paint down the stretch. Samford closed regulation on a 24-15 run. After a runner by Macey Lee gave UNA a 60-58 advantage in the final minute, the Bulldogs responded with a basket in the lane on the ensuing possession.

UNA called a timeout with 20 seconds to play, but could not get a final shot off, sending the game into overtime knotted at 60-60.

An early Samford basket in the extra period gave the Bulldogs their first lead since the second quarter. The visitors later extended the lead to 72-66 at the 1:13 mark, representing their largest lead of the game.

A basket by Hina Suzuki in the closing seconds cut the deficit to three. She then drew an offensive foul and another basket by Lee made it a 76-75 game with four seconds to play. Samford, however, was able to inbound the ball and draw a foul with .2 seconds remaining. Two free throws then accounted for the final score.

Julia Strachan led UNA with 24 points. Lee added 20 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Gill finished with eight points, four rebounds, five steals and four blocked shots in just under 28 minutes of playing time.

Andrea Cournoyer led Samford (5-9) with 24 points while Annie Ramil pulled down a game-high 16 rebounds for the Bulldogs.

UNA will open ASUN play Jan. 5 at Lipscomb. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at Allen Arena on the LU campus in Nashville.

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Players Mentioned

#4 Macey Lee: G; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#24 Hina Suzuki: G; 5' 3"; Senior

#13 Julia Strachan: G; 5' 9"; Graduate Student

#32 Skyler Gill: G/F; 5' 11"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#4 Macey Lee
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: G

#24 Hina Suzuki
: 5' 3"; Senior
: G

#13 Julia Strachan
: 5' 9"; Graduate Student
: G

#32 Skyler Gill
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: G/F