The Samford University women’s basketball team placed three players in double figures as the Bulldogs defeated the University of Montevallo, 79-57, in an exhibition game Thursday night at the Pete Hanna Center.

“I thought we played well in the first half,” Samford head coach Mike Morris said. “We had a little bit of a letdown in the second half defensively, but they had a lot to do with that because they made some tough shots.”

Samford was led by Emily London with 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Karmen Smith scored 13 points and pulled down five rebounds. Monica Maxwell added 12 points, while Chika Okoli and J’Quita Babineaux added nine points each.

“We basically accomplished what we wanted to accomplish from the exhibition game,” Morris said. “We won it and we were able to get a lot of people some reps.”

For Montevallo, Alicia Lewis scored 17 points. Aureli Derenoncourt added 14 points for the Falcons.

As a team, Samford shot 47.2 percent from the floor and 40 percent from three-point range. Montevallo shot 39.6 percent from the floor and 45 percent from three-point range. Samford outrebounded Montevallo, 35-32.

Samford jumped out to an early 12-6 lead following a layup by Okoli with 16:36 to go in the first half. Samford pushed the lead out to 17 at 26-9 with 9:11 to go in the half after a free throw by Megan Wilderotter.

With Samford leading 30-15, the Bulldogs closed the half with a 13-4 run to take a 43-19 lead into the break.

Samford pushed its lead to 26 at 45-19 early in the second half, but an 11-3 run by Montevallo cut the lead to 18 at 48-30 with 16:55 to go after a three-pointer by Lewis. Samford pushed the lead back out to 21 at 55-34 with 14:21 left after a jumper by London.

Samford increased its lead to 24 at 60-36 with 9:44 to go after a three-pointer by Smith. Montevallo could get no closer than 17 the rest of the way as Samford came away with the 79-57 win.

Montevallo will travel to UAB for another exhibition game Saturday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. Samford will open the regular season on Friday, Nov. 14, when the Bulldogs play at in-state rival Jacksonville State. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start from JSU’s Pete Mathews Coliseum.