Long Range Shooting Gives Davidson 76-58 Victory

Monday, February 3

Davidson, N.C.

7:00 p.m.

Davidson College

11-11, 8-3SoCon

Samford

6-16, 4-7SoCon

Samford

Davidson

Hannah Early is shooting 47.5 percent (48-101) from three-land after her 5-for-5 showing in Monday night's win.

Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com

Long Range Shooting Gives Davidson 76-58 Victory

2/3/2014 9:27:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Gavin McFarlin - Assistant SID

Box Score (html)
Game Highlights
DavidsonPhotos.com

DAVIDSON, N.C. – In addition to Laura Murray (25) and Hannah Early (21) combining for 46 points, Davidson drilled home 10-of-13 three-pointers on its way to a 76-58 victory over Samford in Southern Conference women's basketball action Monday evening at Belk Arena.

Coming off a 26-point effort Saturday against Chattanooga, Murray finished 9-of-15 from the floor and knocked down 4-of-5 from long range. Early was just as impressive going 8-of-15, while canning all five of her attempts from behind the arc. The duo was just as impressive defensively as Murray pulled down eight boards and Early recorded three blocks.

Shneeka Center also hit double digits for Davidson (11-11, 8-3 SoCon) with 12 points to go along with 11 rebounds (tied career-high with six on offense) for her third career double-double and second of the season.

The Wildcats, who made a season-high 11 treys in their last meeting with the Bulldogs, finished at 49 percent overall, while holding Samford (6-16, 4-7 SoCon) to just 29 percent after intermission and 34.4 percent for the game.

After Samford reeled off nine unanswered to go up 15-14, the Wildcats responded with a 20-5 run highlighted by 19 combined points from Murray (10) and Center (9) to grab their largest lead of the opening period, 34-20. Davidson, which was very efficient from three-point range (5-7) and the charity stripe (11-13) in the first half, carried a 40-30 advantage into the break.

Like the Wildcats, Samford placed three players in double figures, led by 15 from Lydia McGhee. Kassidy Blevins dropped in 13 points and Clara Young came off the bench for an even 10.

Davidson scored seven straight to begin the second half and eventually stretched its margin to as many as 22 (76-54) on a pair of Dakota Dukes' freebies with 1:32 to play. Despite struggling with her shot, Dukes added seven rebounds, while handing out six dimes.

Along with controlling the glass, 40-33, the 'Cats finished with 17 assists on 25 made field goals.

Davidson returns to the hardwood Saturday afternoon when it travels to Greensboro, N.C., for a 2 p.m. tip at UNCG.

GAME NOTES: Davidson won its fourth straight in the all-time series vs. Samford … it was the third time this year the 'Cats have reached double digits in the three-point category … Murray has scored in double figures in all but one game this year and her 20-point outing was her 12th of the campaign … Early's 20-point outing was her eighth of the season … for just the fifth time this year Davidson out-rebounded the opposition … 11 times this year the Wildcats have dished out 15 or more assists in a game … Davidson's 21 bench points on the night were a season-high.