BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Interstat) — The Wofford Terriers used a dominant third-quarter surge to pull away from the Samford Bulldogs and secure an 80-56 victory in a Southern Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at the Pete Hanna Center.

Wofford, which evened its season record at 10-9, saw its offense ignite after halftime, outscoring Samford 25-13 in the pivotal third period to turn a competitive contest into a comfortable road win. The Terriers improved to 4-2 in conference play, while Samford fell to 8-13 overall and 2-4 in the SoCon.

The game’s most critical sequence came early in the third quarter. Leading 36-33 at the half, Wofford opened the second half on a 9-2 run, capped by a Gabby Mundy 3-pointer assisted by Queen Ikhiuwu at the 8:29 mark, pushing the lead to double digits for the first time at 45-35. Samford, which had hung close behind the scoring of Kaylee Yarbrough, could not mount a response as the Terriers’ defensive pressure intensified and their ball movement carved open consistent scoring opportunities.

Ikhiuwu, a sophomore from Madrid, Spain, was the catalyst for Wofford, delivering a complete performance with 20 points, six assists and a block in 35 minutes. Her playmaking was instrumental in breaking down the Samford defense, particularly during the game-defining run. Mundy, a guard from Liberty Hill, Texas, supported with 18 points and four assists, while Molly Masingale of Englewood, Tennessee, added 12 points, including three 3-pointers.

Samford was led by Kaylee Yarbrough of New Hope, Alabama, who scored 17 points. Sierra Godbolt from Orlando, Florida, contributed 10 points and three assists, and 6-foot-5 post player Emily Bowman of Huntsville, Alabama, provided a presence inside with 10 points and three blocks in just 17 minutes of action.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair. Wofford established an early edge, leading 18-14 after one quarter, but Samford battled back in the second. Yarbrough connected on a trio of 3-pointers in the period, and her jumper with 2:23 left before halftime gave the Bulldogs a 30-29 lead, their last of the game. Wofford closed the half with a 7-3 spurt, including a Courtney Swider 3-pointer just before the buzzer, to reclaim a 36-33 advantage at the break.

Any momentum Samford carried into the locker room was swiftly extinguished by Wofford’s third-quarter onslaught. The Terriers shot efficiently in the period, committing fewer turnovers and limiting Samford’s second-chance opportunities. The Bulldogs’ offense grew stagnant, managing only five field goals in the quarter as the deficit expanded to 61-46 heading into the final frame.

Wofford maintained its defensive focus in the fourth quarter, never allowing Samford within 14 points. The Terriers’ bench contributed timely minutes, with Elli Porter scoring eight points and Sara Deidda of Zagreb, Croatia, adding four points and a steal in the closing moments.

The Terriers’ victory marked their third consecutive win in conference play, building on recent home triumphs over Western Carolina and UNC Greensboro. Samford, coming off a road loss at Mercer, has now dropped two straight in league action.

Wofford will look to continue its momentum with a quick turnaround, traveling to face Mercer on Saturday. Samford remains at home, hosting Furman on Saturday as both teams continue the conference schedule.

An announced crowd of 253 attended the game at the Pete Hanna Center.