BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Montevallo women's basketball team put up a valiant effort on Tuesday morning, as a late push led Samford to an 87-71 victory inside of the Pete Hanna Center.

Three Falcons scored in double figures including Isabel Grimes (16), Jordan Gillies (15), and Julia Susla. Grimes and Gillies each added three steals apiece.

Montevallo struck first, as Elisa Saffold opened the game with a three-pointer. An Isabel Grimes layup and a free throw by Jordan Gillies, kept UM in the lead 6-3 at the 7:26 mark. Samford started to find its rhythm hitting four of its next six baskets to take a 14-8 lead at the 4:47 mark. The Falcons responded with a 6-0 run capped by a Saffold lay-in to the tie the game at 14 with 2:39 left on the clock. The Bulldogs scored the final five points to take a 19-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Bulldogs started the second quarter strong, extending the lead to eight, before Gillies cashed in on the first UM field goal of the period to cut the deficit to 23-17 at the 7:12 mark. Montevallo continued to chip away at the Bulldog lead in the ensuing minutes, as a Ramie Reid and-one and baskets by Grimes and Carlyn Burdette, cut the Samford advantage to 27-25 with 2:21 left on the clock. The Bulldogs recorded another solid end to a quarter, outscoring the Falcons 8-2 in the final minutes to take a 35-27 lead at the break.

Grimes opened the scoring in the second half with a lay-in less than 15 seconds in. The Bulldogs took control in the next few minutes, going on an 11-0 run, to extend the SU advantage to 46-29 at the 7:22 mark. After a UM timeout, the Falcons responded with a 6-0 run courtesy of a Saffold three-pointer and a Cook and-one to trim the deficit to 46-35 at the 6:34 mark. Grimes continued to perform well, scoring seven points and recording two steals in the next two minutes to cut the Samford lead back to single digits, 51-42, with 4:59 left on the clock. Samford extend the lead back out to 12 a few minutes later, but Susla cashed in on back-to-back baskets to make the score 57-49 with under a minute to go. The Bulldogs closed the quarter connecting from long distance to take a 60-49 lead into the fourth quarter.

Anna Katherine Eastman opened the fourth quarter with a shot of her own from long distance, as the Falcons cut the lead back to single digits with 9:39 left in the game. The Bulldogs began to find separation, building an 11-0 run to take a 71-52 lead at the 7:46 mark. Montevallo continued to fight as Savannah Cook responded with a three-pointer and later knocked down a pair of free-throws, as UM faced a 73-57 deficit with 5:57 left on the clock. Makayla Gordon and Julia Susla added points, while Jordan Gillies recorded the final ten points for Montevallo. Samford continued to find scoring down the stretch, ultimately taking home the 87-71 victory.

GAME INFORMATION:
Score: Montevallo 71 | Samford 87
Records: Montevallo 1-2 | Samford 2-4
Location: Pete Hanna Center | Birmingham, Ala.

GAME NOTES:

• Samford shot 47.5 percent from the field, while Montevallo shot 42.9 percent.
• Three Falcons scored in double figures including Isabel Grimes (16), Jordan Gillies (15), and Julia Susla (11).
• The Falcons edged the Bulldogs in points in the paint 32-30.
• Montevallo had the advantage in bench points 26-22.

UP NEXT: Montevallo travels to Mobile, Ala. to face Spring Hill College on Saturday, Nov. 23.