TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Interstat) — The Samford Bulldogs used a dominant first quarter to set the tone and never looked back, cruising to a 77-57 victory over the Florida A&M Lady Rattlers in a non-conference women’s basketball game Saturday at the Alfred Lawson, Jr. Multipurpose Center.

Samford exploded for 25 points in the opening period while holding the Lady Rattlers to just 10, establishing a 15-point lead that Florida A&M would spend the rest of the afternoon trying to overcome. The Bulldogs’ offense was efficient from the start, and their defense consistently stifled the home team’s scoring attempts.

The Bulldogs improved their season record to 2-2, while Florida A&M’s search for its first win continues as they fell to 0-4.

Samford’s offensive execution was the story of the game. The team shot 47.3 percent from the floor, connecting on 26 of 55 attempts. Their success from beyond the arc was a key differentiator, as they made 10 of 27 three-point attempts. From the free-throw line, Samford was a solid 15 of 20.

In contrast, the Lady Rattlers struggled to find their shooting rhythm. They finished the game 22 of 63 from the field, a 34.9 percent clip. Their long-range shooting was particularly problematic, as they managed to make only one of their 12 attempts from three-point territory. Florida A&M also left points at the free-throw line, converting just 12 of 23 chances.

The game featured a balanced scoring attack from Samford, with several players making significant contributions. Kaylee Yarbrough, a guard from New Hope, Alabama, led all scorers with 15 points in just 16 minutes of action, demonstrating sharp efficiency. Teammate Briana Rivera, a 5-foot-5 guard from Orlando, Florida, also tallied 15 points.

Inside, the Bulldogs were bolstered by Carla Baguda, a 6-foot-2 forward who posted 10 points and five rebounds. Frances Morris of Montgomery, Alabama, added nine points, two assists and two blocks, while Emily Bowman of Huntsville, Alabama, chipped in nine points and four rebounds.

For Florida A&M, Breazia Robinson of Cleveland, Ohio, was a bright spot, nearly recording a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds. Cornelia Ellington from Atlanta, Georgia, facilitated the offense with 13 points, six rebounds and four assists. Miya Giles-Jones and Shaniyah McCarthy of Apopka, Florida, each contributed 11 and 12 points, respectively, with Giles-Jones also pulling down six rebounds.

Despite the lopsided score, Florida A&M won the battle on the offensive glass, securing 13 offensive rebounds to Samford’s six. However, the Lady Rattlers were unable to consistently capitalize on these second-chance opportunities. Both teams committed 11 turnovers, and each scored nine points off those miscues.

After their explosive first quarter, the Bulldogs’ offense cooled slightly in the second period, scoring 11 points, but their defense held firm, allowing only 10 more to the Lady Rattlers. Samford took a 36-20 lead into halftime.

Any hopes of a Florida A&M comeback were dashed in the third quarter as Samford’s offense reignited, pouring in 26 points to extend their commanding lead. The Lady Rattlers managed 19 points in the frame but could not significantly cut into the deficit. The fourth quarter saw both teams empty their benches, with Samford adding 15 points to Florida A&M’s 18 to close out the game.

The announced attendance at the Alfred Lawson, Jr. Multipurpose Center was 654.

Samford will look to build on this victory when they travel to face Alabama on Wednesday, November 19. Florida A&M, still seeking its first win, hits the road for its next contest at UCF on Friday, November 21.