BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Lipscomb University Women's Basketball team dropped a late decision to Samford University to end the non-conference schedule, 65-69, Thursday evening from the Pete Hanna Center. 

Final Score: Samford 65, Lipscomb 59
Location: Birmingham, Alabama (Pete Hanna Center)
Records: Lipscomb (3-8), Samford (6-8)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The nets were on fire at the opening stages of the first quarter. The Bisons knocked down five of their first 11 shots from the field. McKayla Miller evened the score at 12 points each on a layup. 

However, the Bulldogs used a 10-0 run to swell the lead to 22-12 and took a 25-16 lead into the second quarter. 

Lipscomb returned the favor on defense in the second quarter. After shooting 56% from the field in the opening quarter, Samford started 1-of-7 and coughed up the ball three times. 

The Bisons went on a 7-1 run in about a minute span to cut the deficit to 28-25 after a triple from Elena Bertrand at the 4:12 mark. 

Maris Zurliene made it a 31-29 score with her free throws after grabbing the offensive rebound with a minute remaining, but a last-second shot by Kaylee Yarbrough made it a 33-29 lead for the home-standing Bulldogs at the break. 

Lipscomb, who seems to play best in the third quarter, averaging 18.9 points per game and shooting 44.5% from the field entering play on Thursday, did that and then some. The Bisons shot 53% (8-of-15) from the floor in the period with 22 points, led by Miller's nine and Olivia Vinson with eight. 

The Bisons reclaimed the lead with free throws from Miller and the 4:02 mark in the period. Later, they swelled the advantage to five with a Hannah Richardson fast-break layup. 

After a quick shot from Samford on the other end, Vinson's triple kept the lead at five, 51-46, at the end of the third quarter. 

After a second-chance jumper by Richardson to make it a 53-46 score for the Bisons, the Bulldogs went on a 10-0 run to take a 56-53 lead with 4:48 left. 

From there, Samford maintained the lead the rest of the way to seal the victory. 

KEY STATISTICS
McKayla Miller scored 13 of her 24 points in the second half for a new career high. The junior shot 10-of-21 from the field and grabbed eight rebounds and four blocks. 

Molly Heard set a new career-high in rebounds with 12 and added six points, four steals and three assists. 

UP NEXT
Lipscomb will break for Christmas and will return to the hardwood with the Atlantic Sun opener at North Florida on New Year's Day.