CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY. - Playing possibly their best game of the season,
Ginger Colvin's Lady Tigers pinned a 91-76 loss on NAIA No. 3 Azusa
Pacific Friday night in the first game of the Citizens Bank Holiday
Hoops Classic.
The Lady Tigers (8-3, 1-2) got strong first-half performances from reserves
Chelsea Craig and
Keisha Compton as CU rolled up a 38-28 half-time advantage. Compton, Craihg and
Hayley Hellyer had 19 of their team's 38 first-half points.They rode out the second 20 minutes by hitting 52 percent of their shots to help them avoid their first three-game losing string since the 2007-08 season.
"I'm thrilled, absolutely thrilled," said Colvin. "After the offensive performance we had at Georgetown ... to come out here and win like this is special."
Azusa (5-2) is as athletic a team as CU has played, according to Colvin.
"Our kids don't match up with their length and athleticism, but we carried out the game plan really well."
CU continued to build on its half-time lead and led 47-30 just three minutes into the second half. A 3 and a two-point basket by
Courtney Clifton, who led all scorers with 25 points, was sandwiched around a bucket by
Mary Jehlik for that margin. Clifton had 20 of her 25 after the break.
The Lady Tigers bumped that lead to 22 midway through and then committed a handful of turnovers down the stretch when Colvin was trying to rest some players.
Campbellsville held Azusa to 37 percent shooting, 4 of 22 from the arc. The Lady Tigers connected on 76 percent of their free throws, led by Clifton's 6-7 from the stripe. It was first time Azusa had allowed 90-plus points since Jan. 16, 2010.
"We really focused on rebounding," said Colvin, "and even though we lost that battle 42-36 I was pleased. We switched up defenses a ton to keep them on their heels and it worked for us tonight."
Azusa cut the lead to 13 with 4:22 to go when Madalene Barrett hit one of two free tosses. But
Mackenzie Lee hit a big 3 and then her teammates hit five of theie next six free throws and the rest was history.
Compton had 13 points on 5-6 shooting in 20 minutes of play. Craig had 15 points and her muscle inside allowed her to pull down five boards.
Katie Allen and
Megan Isaacs also scored in double figures with 10 points apiece. Allen was credited with 11 assists, nine after the break. That gave her a nearly 3-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Azusa was led in scoring by Amber Williams' 24. Briana Hall joined her in double figures with 18.
The Lady Tigers play again tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 in their second game of the Citizens Bank Classic when they meet No. 12 Bethel (Tenn.) University, a 60-51 loser to Lindsey Wilson on Friday. 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 (91) - Jehlik 7, Clifton 25, Lee 8, Allen 10, Isaacs 10, Compton 13, Hellyer 3, Craig 15. Totals 28-54 17-29 91.
Azusa (76) - Roehkasse 9, Williams 24, Hall 18, Sims 6, Barrett 4, Powell 5, Jones 3, Kenny 1, Reed 4, Frederickson 2. Totals 28-76 16-23 76.
Half-time - Campbellsville 38-28. Three-point Goals - Campbellsville 6-17 (Clifton 3, Lee 1, Jehlik 1, Allen 1) Azuza 4-22 . Rebounds - Campbellsville 36 (Lee 5, Jehlik 7, Craig 5), Azusa 42 (Barrett 10, Williams 8). Assists - Campbellsville 21 (Allen 11, Clifton 4, ), Azusa 13 (Sims 4, Williams 3). Steals - Campbellsville 13 (Lee 4), Azusa 10 (Sims 3).
