CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - To coin an automotive analogy, the Lady Tigers' crankcase was a little leaky against Pikeville Thursday night. But CU hit 24 of 26 free throws from the 7:38 mark on to down the Lady Bears 85-76.



Campbellsville forged a 35-26 half-time lead after trailing early. T.J. Thomas hit two buckets to give Campbellsville (12-2, 5-0) a 19-15 lead.

But Pikeville methodically worked its way back into the game and trailed only 55-54 with about eight minutes to go. That's when Mackenzie Lee forced a jump ball and the Lady Tigers ran off six straight points to give them the working margin they would need.

"That was huge (Lee's jump ball)," said coach Ginger Colvin. "I can't say our defense was one of our strong suits in the second half because we gave up 50 points. But we played good the first half."

Whitney Ballinger led three Lady Tigers in double figures with 30 points. She also had 14 rebounds and connected on 14 of 17 free tosses. She also had four blocks and five steals. Courtney Clifton had 17 points and Lee 14.

CU was but 3 of 27 from behind the arc.

"We were taking good shots, but when Melly Heaton and Alexia Willimas go 0-10 we knew we had to find another way to win. And the girls recognized that. Melly and Alexia will hit those shots next time."

Pikeville had four players in double figures, led by Megan Mosley's 17. Nateria Hinton, Lenae Shouse and Brogan Conley had 13, 16 and 12 points, respectively.

The Lady Tigers out-rebounded the Lady Bears 46-35.

The Lady Tigers don't play again until Saturday when they host Virginia Wise in a 2p.m. tipoff

Pikeville (76) - Mosley 17, Conley 12,  Hinton 13, Compton 5, Shouse 16, Grant 8, Bailey 5. Totals 30-67 12-13 76
Lady Tigers (85) - Lee14, Danis 8, Clifton 17, Ballinger 30, Thomas 4, Isaacs 9, Dunn 3. Totals 23-68 27-36 85.
Half-time - Campbellsville 35-26.
Three-point goals - Pikeville 3-12, Campbellsville 3-27 (Clifton 2, Isaacs1).
Rebounds - Pikeville 35, Campbellsville 46 (Ballinger 14, Danis 8, Isaacs 6, Clifton 5, Dunn 3).
Assists - Pikeville 14, Campbellsville 11 (Lee 3, Heaton 3, Clifton 2, Ballinger 2).
Steals - Pikeville 8, Campbellsville 5 (Heaton 2).
Blocked shots - Campbellsville 14 (Ballinger 5, Lee 3, Clifton 2, Isaacs 2).