Tennessee Tech 65, Samford 56

COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—The Tennessee Tech women’s basketball team went on a 20-2 run midway through the first half and Samford could never catch up as the Golden Eagles defeated the Bulldogs, 65-56 Thursday evening at the Eblen Center.

Samford was led by junior guard Shelby Campbell with 16 points and six rebounds. Sophomore forward Taylor Reece had 14 points, five rebounds and four assists. Freshman guard Krista Stricklin scored a career-high seven points in the loss.

Senior forward Hannah Dawson was the team’s leading rebounder with seven, to go along with her five points. The Bulldogs were without the services of senior guard Jazmine Martin, who missed the game with an injury. Junior guard Kendall Schwantz started in Martin’s place.

Tennessee Tech was led by Jala Harris with 20 points. Diamond Henderson scored 12 points for the Golden Eagles. T’Keyah Williams led all rebounders with nine in the game.

After falling behind, 6-0 on back-to-back three-pointers to open the game, Samford went on an 8-2 run to tie the game at 8-8 with 15:44 to go in the first half after a basket by Reece. Tennessee Tech answered with a 20-2 run to take a 28-10 lead with 7:55 left in the half after a three-pointer by Kylie Cook.

Samford came back with an 11-0 run of its own to close to within seven points at 28-21 with 2:15 left in the half after a three-pointer by Reece. Tennessee Tech scored the last four points of the half to take a 32-21 lead into halftime.

Tennessee Tech pushed its lead out to 15 points early in the second half at 36-21 with 17:58 to go after a pair of free throws by Kellie Cook. Samford cut the lead to 11 points at 43-32 with 12:53 left in the game after a layup by Stricklin.

The Golden Eagles pushed the lead back out to 16 points at 48-32 with 11:05 to go after a layup by Henderson. Samford then went on a 7-0 run to cut the lead to nine points at 48-39 with 8:06 to go after a three-pointer by Schwantz. Tennessee Tech answered with an 8-2 run to make the score 56-41 with 6:08 left after a three-pointer by Kellie Cook.

With Tennessee Tech leading, 58-44, Samford went on a 10-3 run to close to within seven points at 61-54 with 2:10 to go after a three-pointer by Schwantz. The Bulldogs, however, could get no closer as the Golden Eagles came away with the 65-56 win.

The loss ends a three-game win streak for the Bulldogs and drops Samford’s season record to 5-3. Tennessee Tech improves to 4-4 with the win.

Samford will return to action on Dec. 18, when the Bulldogs play at Oregon. The game is scheduled for a 9 p.m. (CST) start from Eugene, Ore.