CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY. - After beating No.3-ranked Azusa the night before,
Campbellsville had validation on its mind Saturday when it took on
12th-ranked Bethel in its second game of the Citizens Bank Holiday Hoops
Classic.
And validation it got as the Lady Tigers pulled away in the second half for a 76-57 win, the second in a row over a Top 20 team.
"We didn't play with a ton of energy in the first half," said Coach
Ginger Colvin, "but I thought we came out an did in the second half."
After leading 39-36 at intermission, Campbellsville (9-3, 1-2) broke away from a 46-46 tie by going on a 17-5 run. Fueling that run were
Courtney Clifton and
Keisha Compton.
Compton canned a follow shot with 13:40 to go and a 48-46 lead that the Lady Tigers would never relinquish. Clifton, who led CU with 25 points, hit a running layup off a nice feed from
Hayley Hellyer, then hit a 3 and two free throws.
Bethel (6-4) missed three out of four free tosses and committed three turnovers during the run.
"I think they got gassed a little bit in the second half," said Colvin. "They had to play a tough game against Lindsey Wilson last night and had a shorter turn-around than we did."
Campbellsville held Bethel's Jana Roney, the second leading scorer in the NAIA, to just 11 points. The Lady Wildcats were led by Molly Wallsmith with 18. Arkansas State transfer, playing her first game of the year, Jasmine Taylor, had 17.
Clifton was joined in double figures by
Megan Isaacs (12).
Mary Jehlik and
Mackenzie Lee had nine each and Compton eight.
CU hit 41 percent from the field, 6-17 from 3 and 18-24 free throws - nine by Clifton. Clifton also led the team in rebounds with eight.
"Courtney is understanding that if she gives the ball up, she's going to get it back," said Colvin. "She's learning better to play without the ball."
Bethel shot 47 percent from the field, but turned it over seven more times than CU.
The Lady Tigers won't play again until next Friday at 6:00 when they host undefeated and NAIA Div. II No. 1, Indiana Wesleyan. 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 (76) - Jehlik 9, Clifton 25, Lee 9, Allen 7, Isaacs 12, Compton 8, Hellyer 4, Craig 2. Totals 26-62 18-24 76.
Bethel (57) - Roney 11, Porter 2, Taylor 17, Wallsmith 18, Harris 2 . Totals 24-51 7-16 57.
Half-time - Campbellsville 39-36. Three-point Goals - Campbellsville 6-17 (Clifton 2, Lee 2, Jehlik 1, Allen 1) Bethel 2-14 . Rebounds - Campbellsville 40 (Lee 5, Jehlik 2, Craig 54, Clifton 8, Isaacs 5, Compton 6), Bethel 30 (Roney 8, Wallsmith 7). Assists - Campbellsville 13 (Allen 4, Lee 4), Bethel 7 (Roney 4). Steals - Campbellsville 13 (Clifton 4, Comp[ton 3), Bethel 4.
