Dec. 2, 2006

Final Stats

Columbia, Mo. - Alabama A&M's Ashleonte' Samuel missed all of last season with an injury. Saturday she stepped to the free throw line with the game in the balance and buried both shots with just :03 remaining. The two points gave the Bulldogs a four-point lead and assured the win as Eastern Illinois dropped a three-pointer at the buzzer for the final, 67-66 in the first round of the University of Missouri State Farm Tournament. The game, which was originally scheduled for Friday, was postponed due to a snow storm. The Bulldogs will face the winner of the Missouri/Creighton game in Sunday's final.

Samuel finished the game with 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Rebekkah Barnes led the team with 16 points, including three from behind the arc. Tamika Green scored 12 and Felicia Drummond 10. Green also grabbed seven rebounds.

As a team, the Bulldogs hit 22 of 26 free throws in the game. Alabama A&M led by 10 at the half, 39-29, and by as many as 17 in the second half before the Panthers came back to take the lead late. A&M was able to execute down the stretch and hit free throws to seal the victory. The Bulldogs are now 4-2 on the season.