NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Trevecca may be situated in the land of country music, but that doesn't mean they couldn't be forced into singing a little of the Blues.
The Campbellsville University's Lady Tigers (3-0) were the second straight Mid-South Conference school to give the Lady Trojans (1-2) a loss this week, this one 93-90.
"I don't know how we did it, but I sure am thrilled that we did," said Coach
Ginger Colvin to CU Radio Play-by Play man,
Jay Turner, after the game.
CU rallied in the final 20 seconds as
Mackenzie Lee hit a layup off a steal and assist by
Keisha Compton for a 91-90 lead and then sealed the game with two free throws with 15 seconds remaining.
Trevecca took the fight to the Lady Tigers and led 28-23 midway through the first half. But thanks to five first-half 3s by
Courtney Clifton, Campbellsville went on a 13-3 run for a 36-31 lead. Clifton ended up with seven 3s in all and led all scorers with 31 points. But, her team only led by two (48-46) at the break.
"She (Clifton) was hot," said Colvin. "She certainly kept us in it the first half.
"This was our first real test, and we passed it. They have a nice team, they play in a tough conference (Trans South) and they're going to win a lot of games," said Colvin.
Four minutes out of the break Campbellsville trailed 58-55 when Lauren Wasson hit a three and a layup. And with 7:38 remaining, CU trailed 77-68. That's when Trevecca went to work. Rachel Raby, who led the Lady Trojans with 22 points and 14 rebounds, went on a tear and the Travecca built its biggest lead after an 11-2 run.
Mary Jehlik, who eventualy fouled out with 5:55 to go, hit a couple of jumpers and Lee a bucket to close the gap to 79-74. Lee's layup at 4:17 brought CU to within 82-80 and the Lady Tigers took their first lead in a long time when Clifton hit a layup and a 85-84 lead with just under three minutes to go.
With 1:07 remaining, CU forced Trevecca into a hurried 3, but Shenita Gleaves snatched a back-side rebound and put it in for Trevecca's final lead. The Lady Tigers then forced a jump ball before Compton's and Lee's heroics.
Campbellsvile had four players in double figures, led by Clifton's 31. Lee ended up with 16,
Katie Allen 13 (10 assists) and
Megan Isaacs 12.
Campbellsville was out-rebounded 46-31 which prompted Colvin to deadpan: "We couldn't rebound."
"This win says so much for our kids," offered Colvin. "To get a win here is big."
Trevecca had five 3s in the first half, but only one after intermission ending the night 6-20 from behind the arc. Campbellsville, thanks to Clifton's 7-12 shooting, ended a 50 percent night (8-16) from 3.
Quick Notes:
*
Chelsea Craig, who according to her coach had been playing well in her first two games, mistakingly left her contacts at home and scored only two points. But her coach left her car charger for her iPhone at home. Colvin lost contact with the outside world world about White House, Tenn.
"We're going to have to make sure she has them for all our other games."
* Light travels faster than sound. Anyone watching the game live and listening to it on a computer or smart phone would have noticed a 4- or 5-second delay between a play happening and Turner's radio call.
* Georgetown defeated Trevecca on Tuesday night 71-59.
* The Lady Tiger record for most 3s in a game lives to see another day. The record of eight is shared by both
Melly Heaton and Wendy Messer. Clifton had seven through the first 26 minutes Friday night, but did not attempt another 3-pointer the rest of the way. "She played within herself tonight," said her coach.
The Lady Tigers will travel on Monday to Jackson, Tenn. for a match-up with perennial power and nationally No.-2 ranked Union University. Tipoff will be at 7:00 and the game will be broadcast over university radio (88.7). A link for listening on the computer can be found at www.campbellsvilletigers.com.
Lady Tigers (93) - Lee 16, Allen 13, Jehlik 6, Isaacs 12, Clifton 31, Compton 2, Kimberland 15, Hellyer 6, Craig 2. Totals 35-72 15-22 93.
Travecca (90) - Bollinger 4, Mitchell 21, Gleaves 18, Raby 22, Wasson 11, Felker 5, Ragland 8, Pentecost 1. Totals 37-70 10-15 90.
Half-time - Campbellsville 48-46. Three-point Goals - Campbellsville 8-16 (Isaacs 1 Clifton 7), Travecca 6-20 (Mitchell 2, Wasson 3, Felker 1). Rebounds - Campbellsville 31 (Isaacs 4, Clifton 4), Travecca 46 (Raby 14). Assists - Campbelsville 24 (Lee 4, Hellyer 2, Compton 2, Allen 10), Travecca 22 (Wasson 6, Mitchell 5). Steals - Campbellsville 12 (Lee 5), Travecca 6. Blocked Shots -Campbellsville 3 (Lee 1, Clifton 1, Hellyer 1).
