HOMEWOOD, Ala. | The Alabama State Univeristy women's basketball team got a 26-point performance from the bench, but fell 69-47 to the Samford Bulldogs on the road Saturday at the Pete Hanna Center.

Shmya Ward led the Hornets (0-5) with 16 points. Whitney Dunn tacked on six points from the bench and Che'Mya Carouthers chipped in with nine points off the bench.

Led by Cordasia Harris' three offensive rebounds, Alabama State crashed the offensive glass, pulling down 10 boards that resulted in 10 second chance points.

The Alabama State defense held Samford shooters to just 39.3 percent from the field.

How It Happened

Alabama State struggled out of the gate, falling behind 20-10 at the end of the first quarter.

Alabama State then cut the Bulldogs lead to 24-15 before going on a 5-0 run, highlighted by a three from Carouthers, to narrow its deficit to 24-20. Samford responded and expanded its lead, leaving the Hornets trailing 33-24 heading into halftime.

Alabama State's deficit continued to grow after halftime, and the Hornets faced a 48-32 disadvantage heading to the fourth quarter. Alabama State played well near the basket, scoring all eight of its points in the paint.

Alabama State could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 69-47. Alabama State got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring eight of its 15 total points.

Game Notes

» The Hornets held the Bulldogs to only 39.3 percent shooting from the field.
» The Alabama State bench scored 26 points.
» The Alabama State defense forced 16 turnovers.
» Alabama State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 10 offensive boards in the game.
» Shmya Ward led the Hornets with a game-high 16 points.
» Alabama State got a team-high five rebounds from Ward.

Up Next: Alabama State at Vanderbilt on Monday, Nov. 20 at 1 p.m. in Nashville, Tenn.