There was no net cutting or playing of Queen's "We Are the Champions" Thursday, as No. 5 Campbellsville University fended off the No. 15 University of the Cumberlands, 69-61. The win locked up the program's first unshared Mid-South Conference regular season championship since 2003, but it's just the latest check mark on CU's whiteboard of goals.
"We didn't want to share this with anyone this year. We've battled way too long and come too far to not win this out right. This was a big win to seal a decent seed in the national tournament," CU head coach Ginger Colvin said. "Our journey is great right now, and we just want to keep going, next cutting down the nets in Frankfort."
Cumberlands, CU's most heated rival in recent years, traded baskets and lead changes with Campbellsville through the first 20 minute of the game. The first half saw eight lead changes and six ties between the two national powers, as Cumberlands entered the intermission with a 26-25 lead.
Scoring was balanced in the first half for the Lady Tigers, as Wendi Messer had a pair of 3-pointers, followed by five points from Megan Issacs. Courtney Danis, Mackenzie Lee and an injury-plagued Whitney Ballinger each had four. Ballinger missed the final five minutes of the first half and first five of the second period.
"Obviously Whitney is a huge part of our team, but we proved tonight with her out that we're still a great basketball team when she's not in … This is such a special, special basketball team. They often leave me with a loss of words," Colvin said.
Ballinger hobbled onto the court with 15 minutes left in the game and immediately gave CU the lead, 37-35. She worked through her pain the rest of the way en route to 21 points and 12 rebounds for her 18th double-double of the season. She also had five blocks.
Moments after taking the lead, Ballinger drew a charge that resulted in a 3-point basket from Issacs that broke a 37-37 tie. The Patriots tied it for the ninth and final time, 41-41, on a 3-point play by Lauren Wombles, who led UC with 19 points. Senior Kristi Ensminger was there to answer though, giving CU a lead it wouldn't let slip again, 43-41, with 12:47 left.
Ensminger, a native of Kingston Springs, Tenn., was honored before the game along with Shabree Hunter of Del Ray Beach, Fla., for Senior Night. Ensminger finished with eight points, five defensive rebounds and four steals in her final home game. The two have now won 25-straight home games and conclude their career with a 39-12 home record.
"That's every game for Kristi," Colvin said. "It probably stands out more because of it being such an important game … It's so great to see her and Shabree go out with this win."
CU stretched its lead to 14 points, 61-47, with just under five minutes left and didn't let Cumberlands get closer than seven, 63-46.
Wendi Messer also finished in double-figures with 10 points. Lauren Martin had 18 for the Patriots.
Campbellsville (28-1) travels to West Virginia Tech on Saturday at 2 p.m.
