Samford Wins Second Straight Over Jacksonville :: Giovanni Price's fourth double-double leads Bulldogs

Feb. 11, 2002

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Giovanni Price scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as Samford University overcame a seven-point halftime deficit to defeat Jacksonville University 55-54 in Atlantic Sun women's basketball action at Seibert Hall Monday night.

Samford (3-18, 2-12 A-Sun) won its second game in a row to move out of the cellar in Atlantic Sun standings. Jennifer East recorded a career-high 10 assists and Morgan Vickery broke Samford's single season three-point record by hitting four three-pointers to give her 40 on the season. The old record of 39 was set by Aimee Cochran during the 1999-2000 season. Che' Walker added a season and career-high nine points for the Bulldogs who won for the first time this season when trailing at halftime

"When you are learning to win, you will take a win anyway you can." said Samford Head Coach Janet Cone after the game. "JU is a great rebounding team and they play one of the toughest match up zone's I've seen. I thought our guards played very well, Jen East had 10 assists and LaBrena Friend was tough on defense. In the second half we moved Giovanni outside a little more and that makes her tough to defend."

The Bulldogs began their comeback on a 3-point shot by Vickery and a made basket by Price to cut the JU lead to 36-34 two minutes into the second half. But the Bulldogs got stuck on 34 points for five minutes as the Dolphins extended the lead back to seven points with 12:52 to play. Samford cut the lead down to one points again with 9:36 left on a Noot Pittman basket. Jacksonville's Veronique McMillian answered with a lay-up to give JU a 47-44 lead and the it was the Dolphins turn to go cold. JU did not score again until the 2:47 mark of the game when McMillian was fouled on another lay-up. Over the seven minute stretch, Samford went on a 9-0 run to take a 53-47 lead. McMillian completed the three-point play to pull the Dolphins back to within three points at 53-50.

Price hit a jumper with 2:21 remaining to put SU back up by five. Samford held a 55-52 lead when JU called time out with 20 seconds remaining. The Bulldogs protected against the three-point shot and allowed McMillian a lay-up with two second remaining. The Dolphins fouled Vickery, who missed her free throw but time expired before JU could get a shot off.

Jacksonville (2-19, 1-13 A-Sun) was led by Yolisha Jackson who scored 18 points in the first half and finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds. McMillian finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds while Kat Sungy had seven points and 11 rebounds. JU went only 3-9 from the foul line and committed 22 turnovers to 19 for Samford. The Dolphins, who lead the A-Sun in rebounding margin, held a 45-34 advantage on the glass. However, Samford held an 11-6 lead in second chance points and a 16-5 advantage in points off turnovers.

Samford will return to the court on Saturday as it wraps up this very successful three-game home stand against Belmont. Tip-off is at 2 p.m. at Seibert Hall.