With the best start in team history at 17-6 overall and 10-3 in the OVC, the women's basketball team is looking for a strong finish to the 2007-2008 season.
On Saturday, they celebrated an 86-80 double-overtime victory against Eastern Illinois, who lead the OVC standings at the time.
Redshirt junior guard Monica Maxwell led the team with a career-high 21 points, followed by freshmen Savannah Hill's 19 and Emily London's 16.
The win over Eastern Illinois boosted an already-confident team. Head Coach Mike Morris said the Bulldogs maintain a calm demeanor during games and have remained even-keeled against ranked George Washington and OVC bottom-dweller UT-Martin.
The unity and chemistry of this Bulldogs team is unique, contributing to one of the best records in Samford history, Morris said.
"This group of players tends to do a lot of things together, and their personalities mesh well together," he said.
One prominent indicator of the team's identity may be the variety of statistical leaders. There is not one consistent high scorer or rebounding leader, yet somehow, these Bulldogs find it possible to win the majority of their games.
Junior forward Chika Okoli said that somebody different can step up each time.
"We have come a long way, and each person has learned how to take different roles on the court," she said.
The Bulldogs are learning to share roles after losing junior guard Megan Wilderotter, who suffered a season-ending knee injury.
"We learned how to click as a team and key on all of us, not just one or two people," freshman guard Emily London said.
Redshirt senior forward Alex Munday tops Samford's career scoring list and is also in the top 10 for rebounding and assists.
"That's a credit to her as a fifth-year senior, all-time leading scorer in the history of our program, and she's coming off the bench," Morris said.
"That just shows you it's about the team first, and she epitomizes that and doesn't get all wrapped up in it as some players would."
Morris stressed the need for consistency with seven conference games left before the OVC Tournament.
"After 23 games, no matter who we play or where we play, they've really brought to the game the right approach, so hopefully that continues," Morris said.
2008 Woodie Awards
