ST. CATHARINE, Ky. -- Campbellsville University used a balanced offensive attack Saturday to down St. Catharine College, 92-69, and open a five-game Mid-South Conference road trip victorious. The win gives the Lady Tigers sole possession of first-place in the MSC at 7-0, as University of the Cumberlands fell on the road to Shawnee State University.
"As tough as our conference is, if you can get any breathing room, you'll take it," CU head coach
Ginger Colvin said. "I'm sure it (the conference race) will still come down to the wire, but it's nice to have a little breathing room."
The Lady Tigers collected points from 10 of its 13 players, led by
Whitney Ballinger's 28 points and a season-high 16 points from
Megan Isaacs.
"We came out with better intensity than we have recently. I thought Megan came off the bench and really gave us a boost and did a good job," Colvin said.
Shortly after Isaacs entered the game, she scored to give CU its first double-figure lead, 17-7, with 13:30 left in the opening period. The junior from Horse Cave, Ky., played a part in each bench mark for the Lady Tigers, also giving CU its first 20-point lead, 40-20, and later hitting a 3-pointer in the second half to push Campbellsville to a 30-point lead, 74-43.
CU dominated the glass, out-rebounding St. Catharine by 25. Ballinger had eight rebounds to lead all players, while
Courtney Danis had six.
"Courtney has been working hard on rebounding for us," Colvin said. "She had six today, but she also did a good job boxing out to create opportunities for others."
St. Catharine was led by Danielle Brown, who scored all 22 of her points in the second half.
The Lady Tigers (14-2, 7-0) stay on the road for the rest of January, starting with a Thursday match-up with Lindsey Wilson. Then they have the University of the Cumberlands (Jan. 22), Shawnee State (Jan. 27) and Georgetown (Jan. 29). They will return home Feb. 3 against Rio Grande.
STAT SUMMARYSt. Catharine (69) - Milam 9, Lopez 5, Mullins 14, Brown 22, Hofstraat 2, Johnson 5, Calhoun 3, Caras 2, Flora 5, Sexton 2. Totals 24-57 15-22 69.
Lady Tigers (92) - Lee 7, Heaton 3, Danis 12, Clifton 10, Ballinger 28, Isaacs 16, Deason 2, Hellyer 5, Williams 4, Dunn 5. Totals 34-65 16-17 92.
Half-time - Campbellsville 53-30.
Three-point goals - St. Catahrine 6-13, Campbellsville 7-16 (Clifton 2, Isaacs 2).
Rebounds - St. Catharine 22, Campbellsville 47 (Ballinger 8, Danis 6, Dunn 5).
Assists - St. Catharine 9, Campbellsville 12 (Thomas 3, Ballinger 2, Lee 2).
Steals - St. Catharine 8, Campbellsville 7.
Blocked shots - St. Catharine 4 (Hofstraat 2), Campbellsville 0.
