Samford's Morris and Yarbrough combine for 47 to lead Bulldogs to SoCon crown

ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- No. 6 Samford completed its three-day sweep of the SoCon co-champions, winning the  Ingles Southern Conference Women's Basketball Championship on Sunday at Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville.

Following wins over Wofford and ETSU, the Bulldogs rallied from an early 11-point deficit for a 72-67 victory over top-seeded Chattanooga.

 The championship was the fourth for the Bulldogs and their first since 2020. The Mocs, who have a league best 20 titles, lost in the championship game for the second straight year.

Reserve guard Kaylee Yarbrough scored 25 points in 23 minutes to lead the Bulldogs in scoring. Teammate Francie Morris added 22 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Guard Caia Elisaldez, the SoCon's regular season Player of the Year, led the Mocs with 20 points, while teammate Izzy McPherson contributed 17.

Chattanooga made its first five shots to take a 14-3 lead. Unshaken, Samford bounced back and took control, leading 23-20 after the first quarter.

The pace slowed in the second period as Samford's defense took control, limiting the Mocs to just seven points in assuming a 35-27 halftime lead.

Yarbrough scored seven straight points near the end of the third period to give the Bulldogs a 13-point, 54-41 lead, their biggest of the game. The Mocs, though, rallied in the final 10 minutes behind the scoring of Elizaldez and McPherson and pulled within three at 70-67 with 29.8 seconds left. 

The Mocs had a chance to tie in the final 10 seconds but a 3-point attempt by Gianna Corbitt was off the mark. Samford’s Brianna Rivera then made two free throws to secure the win for the Bulldogs.

Things to know:

-- After missing four of its first five field-goal attempts, Samford went on to finish 25-of-47 for 53.2 percent. The Bulldogs were 10-of-17 on 3-point attempts for 58.8 percent. 

-- Yarbrough, who averaged 11.9 points during the season, led Samford during the tournament with 45 points total points. Morris scored 44 points (14.7 per game) after averaging 7.9 during the season.

-- Chattanooga established a tournament record for most 3-pointers made with 34 and most  attempts with 84. The Mocs' Corbitt tied the tournament record for most 3-pointers made with 12, joining three other players. 

First Team All-Tournament

Alyssa Ervin, Furman

Gianna Corbitt, Chattanooga

Caia Elisaldez, Chattanooga

Francie Morris, Samford

Kaylee Yarbrough, Samford

Second Team All-Tournament

Clare Coyle, Furman

Meghan Downing, ETSU

Daniela Lopez, ETSU

Carmen Richardson, ETSU

Sierra Godbolt, Samford

Most Outstanding Player

Francie Morris, Samford

Knight Commission Pinnacle Award (highest GPA on championship-winning team)
Alyssa Tarpley, Samford