By Richard RoBards

Correspondent

Campbellsville cut a 16-point deficit to four with about five minutes to go in the Mid-South Conference Women's Tournament title game in Frankfort on Sunday but the Lady Tigers ran out time, losing to Cumberlands 69-57.

"Yeah, we cut it to four and had the ball," said Lady Tiger coach Ginger Colvin. "I felt good about it, but we just never could get over the hump."

Cumberlands placed five players in double figures and hit nearly 80 percent of its free throws in turning back a Campbellsville bid for a title, it's first chance since 2004.

Campbellsville had three players to reach double figures, Whitney Ballinger 19 (to go along with 10 rebounds), Courtney Danis 13 and T.J. Thomas 10.

It was Thomas' field goal with 4:45 left in the game that brought CU to within four, 59-55. Cumberlands went on a 10-2 run to close out the game.

"I hope they (the team) are thinking losing isn't such a great thing," offered Colvin. "We came out not ready to play and Cumberlands seemed to want it more than we did."

Campbellsville never led in the game and was able to hang around in the first half until the Lady Patriots scored nine of the last 12 points of the half. The Lady Patriots' Madison Flowers canned a three with eight second to go in the half, giving Cumberlands 41-27 advantage.

Campbellsville's record is 26-6 and Cumberlands, which earned the automatic bid to the national tournament, finished 27-4.

Campbellsville will learn next week when it might play in Jackson, Tenn. The national tournament starts March 18.

Others scoring for Campbellsville: Jarobia Hill 8, Kristi Ensminger 4, Wendi Messer 2 and Melly Heaton 1.