BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- Playing its third game in four days, the Auburn Montgomery women's basketball team dropped a 72-50 exhibition contest to NCAA Division I Samford Tuesday at the Pete Hanna Center.
NOTES
• The statistics and results from the contest did not count toward the AUM season totals.
• Samford improved to 9-12 on the year.
STANDOUT PERFORMERS
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Nadia Stewart led the Warhawks with nine points, adding six rebounds and three assists in the contest.
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Shanna Strain contributed six points, five rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals.
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Shalyn Strain played a season-high 35 minutes, recording three points, four rebounds, an assist and a steal.
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Ashton Sutton finished with six points in 13 minutes.
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Tyra Caudle and
Chandler Sutton each finished with six points.
• Four Samford players scored in double figures, led by Hannah Nichols and Samantha Fitzgerald with 16 each. Fitzgerald added a game-high 14 rebounds to complete the double-double.
• Katie Allen (13) and Cassidy Williams (12) also scored in double figures for the Bulldogs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Warhawks led 5-2 after
Kaylan Withrow scored five straight points in the opening 2:36. The two teams were tied at 7-7 following a Caudle jumper with 4:33 remaining in the first, but the Bulldogs closed the quarter with a 12-5 run and took a 19-12 advantage after one period.
• AUM stayed within striking distance, trailing by just eight, 30-22, following a trey by
Shalyn Strain with 4:56 remaining before halftime. However, Samford scored the next 11 points and went on to lead 43-24 at halftime.
• Stewart's layup with 7:18 remaining in the third pulled the Warhawks within 17 points, 46-29, but the Bulldogs still led 58-36 after three quarters.
• In the fourth quarter, AUM closed to within 14 points, 60-46, following 3-pointers by A. Sutton and
Anastasia Evans. Despite the rally, the Bulldogs answered with a 12-0 run and put the game out of reach. The Warhawks scored the final four points of the game to provide the final margin.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• The Warhawks finished 20-of-54 from the field, but hit just 6-of-21 from behind the arc. AUM was 4-of-9 from the charity stripe.
• Samford shot 45.9 percent from the floor, including 10-of-24 from distance. The Bulldogs converted 6-of-9 from the free throw line.
• The Bulldogs held a 43-27 advantage in total rebounds, including 15-8 on the offensive boards. Samford finished with 15 second-chance points, while AUM had six.
• The Warhawks committed just 11 turnovers, while the Bulldogs committed eight. AUM converted 10 points off turnovers, while Samford finished with 18.
QUOTING THE COACH
"I thought we really played a good game tonight against a NCAA Division I team," head coach
Dan Davis said. "What I liked most was to see the entire team step up and play hard. I was also pleased of how everyone responded after a difficult game last night. The girls did a great job in the second half and were only outscored by two. The difference in the game really came in the second quarter, when Samford got hot. Give them credit for hitting those shots. They are always a well-coached and respectful team. Now we have to get some rest, before we get back to practice to prepare for a tough Kentucky State team."
UP NEXT
The Warhawks will return to action Saturday, Jan. 28, when they travel to Frankfort, Ky., for a contest against Kentucky State. Tip-off is scheduled for 12 p.m.
