CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY. - Campbellsville blew a 10-point lead with seven
minutes to go and lost Friday night to Indiana Wesleyan University,
62-60, in the Powell Athletic Center.
"I hope we learned a big lesson with this," said a disappointed Coach
Ginger Colvin. "We didn't rebound when it counted and they hit every open three we gave them, which was a lot."
Wesleyan (12-0), ranked No. 1 in NAIA Div II, canned 62 percent of its second-half shots and hit 4-8 from behind the arc in the second 20 minutes, 7-16 for the game. Campbellsville, in the meantime, could connect on only 39 percent of its shots.
"We got that 10-point lead and then started jogging up and down the floor," said Colvin. "They (Indiana Wesleyan) drove five hours and had bus trouble. We preached about how good they are. We know now."
The Lady Tigers (9-4, 1-2) trailed by as many as five in the first half, but rode the shoulders of
Mackenzie Lee who had 15 of her team-high 18 points before the break. Lee led the team in rebounding (6) and steals (7).
With the score tied at 32, CU came alive and went on a 24-14 run that had the Lady Tigers seemingly in control.
Courtney Clifton hit a four-point play, a basket and two technical free throws, for a 54-44 lead and then
Katie Allen's bucket made it 56-46. But CU could manage but four points the rest of the way.
"This was a tough loss for us," said Colvin. "All the ground we gained with two big wins last weekend, we gave it right back."
Wesleyan was led by Krystal Stoneking with 23. Stephanie Burch, who hit four 3s, had 18.
Lee was joined in double figures by Clifton (11) and Allen and
Megan Isaacs with 10 each.
Campbellsville had 14 more free throws than Wesleyan, but found themselves in a pickle with 12 seconds to go and only three team fouls. CU finally put Emma Stahl on the line and she missed the front end of a bonus with eight second to go. But
Courtney Clifton's heave at the buzzer was off the mark.
"It was a horrible look," said Colvin. "We had plenty of time to get a better shot."
The Lady Tigers play again tomorrow at 2:00 when they host Cumberland (Tenn.) University. 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 (60) - Jehlik 2, Clifton 11, Lee 18, Allen 10, Isaacs 10, Compton 5, Hellyer 2, Craig 2. Totals 21-54 14-18 60.
Indiana Wesleyan (62) - Brooks 3, Freeman 6, Steinbarger 3, Burch 18, Stoneking 23, Stahl 5, Smith 4. Totals 26-51 3-4 62.
Half-time - Tied 30-30. Three-point Goals - Campbellsville 4-11 (Lee 2, Clifton 1, Allen 1) Wesleyan 7-16 (Burch 4) . Rebounds - Campbellsville 32 (Jehlik 4, Clifton 4, Lee 6, Isaacs 5, Compton 3), Wesleyan 25 (Smith 6, Stoneking 7). Assists - Campbellsville 14 (Lee 4, Allen 4), Wesleyan 20 (Freeman 6, Steinbarger 6). Steals - Campbellsville 11 (Lee 7), Wesleyan 6.
