East Tennessee State University’s women’s basketball team ended its Southern Conference Tournament run in the semifinals on Friday, losing 48-57 to Samford University. The Bucs entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed with an overall record of 18-13 and a conference record of 10-4, while Samford was seeded sixth.
Daniela Lopez, a junior guard for ETSU, led her team with 13 points, including three three-pointers and five total field goals. She also collected five rebounds, contributed one assist, and tied for the game-high with two steals. Lopez has recorded at least one steal in each of her last four games.
A sophomore guard helped from the free throw line by making all five attempts—tying her career high—and finished with 11 points and three field goals. She added five rebounds and one assist to her performance, extending her streak to ten consecutive games with at least one assist.
A senior forward led the team in rebounding with seven boards and registered two steals during the contest.
The graduate guard contributed across multiple categories: eight points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Another senior guard posted six points from two made three-pointers—the first time this season she has made multiple threes in a game—alongside two steals and an assist.
Team statistics showed ETSU outscored Samford in several areas: 6-4 in points from turnovers, 14-12 in paint points, and 7-5 in second-chance points. The Bucs totaled 48 points, grabbed 34 rebounds, handed out six assists, and recorded eight steals as a team.
ETSU’s next step is to watch the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday, March 15 at 8 p.m., followed by the WBIT Selection Show later that evening.
