Birmingham, Ala. – Grace Pack posted a double-double through the opening 20 minutes on Thursday night at Samford, and Ally Hollifield banked in a 3-pointer as the first half expired, as the Catamounts pulled to within a possession at the break, 28-25. However, utilizing a strong start to a 26-point third quarter and nine second-half 3-pointers, the Bulldogs pulled away in the second half, upending Western Carolina women's basketball 73-50 at the Pete Hanna Center.
 
Pack posted the second double-double of her career and the first for the Catamounts, finishing with 16 points and 15 rebounds, 11 of each coming in the first half. Hollifield filled the stat sheet again, going for 13 points, six rebounds, five assists, with a block and a steal on defense. Taj Hunter recorded 10 points and a block as well for the Catamounts.
 
Briana Rivera was red-hot for Samford, recording 21 points on a 7-of-11 shooting performance from beyond the arc. Frances Morris recorded 13 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block, while Martha Bishop chipped in 12 points and nine rebounds.
 
WCU (3-19, SoCon 0-8) travels to Macon, Ga., to face the Mercer Bears on Feb. 7. Samford (9-16, SoCon 2-6) stays at home to host the UNCG Spartans.
 
How it Happened:  
Samford started quickly, taking a lead that it would not relinquish with 9:39 in the first quarter. Grace Pack tied the game at two before the Bulldogs raced out on a 13-4 run. Ally Hollifield scored five consecutive points to make it a 15-11 game, but Samford's Avary Brewer closed the quarter with a layup to take the 17-11 lead into the quarter break.
 
Samford's lead stretched to as many as 10 in the second quarter before the Catamounts made progress on chipping away at the deficit. Six-straight points by WCU made it a four-point game, 21-17, but Samford responded to keep the Catamounts at bay until the final minute of the half.
 
Hollifield fought through contact and got a shot off from behind the arc with one second on the clock, swishing through the deep shot to make it a 28-25 game going into intermission.
 
Taj Hunter made it a one-point game early in the third quarter, but it would prove to be as close as the Catamounts would get. Briana Rivera strung together three-straight 3-pointers that gave the Bulldogs breathing room and the double-digit, 39-29 lead. Samford finished the quarter with a 9-0 run to take a 54-38 lead into the final 10 minutes.
 
In the fourth, the Bulldogs outpaced the Catamounts 19-14 as Samford claimed the 73-50 win.
 
By the Numbers:
For the first time in two games, the Catamounts committed more than 20 turnovers as Samford scored 30 points off WCU's 25 total miscues. The 25 turnovers were the fourth-most of the season, and the second-most in SoCon play.
 
WCU won the rebounding battle for the third time this conference season, picking up 38 rebounds to Samford's 30. The Catamounts racked up 14 offensive boards, scoring 11 second-chance points compared to Samford's five and three.
 
Samford was efficient and effective from deep in the game, notching 12 3-pointers against the Catamounts. The 12 made 3's are tied for the most by the Bulldogs against an NCAA DI opponent this season, though Samford's 46.2% effectiveness from 3-point range was the second-best of the season.
 
Up Next for The Catamounts:
The Catamounts remain on the road for the weekend as they take on the Mercer Bears in Macon, Ga. On Feb. 7 for a 2 p.m. tip. They'll then return home to host the Furman Paladins on Feb. 12, and the Wofford Terriers on Feb. 14. Tip vs Furman is set for 6 p.m., with the Catamounts set to take on the Terriers at 2 p.m.