CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. -- Defensive dominance led to an offensive showcase again for the Campbellsville University Lady Tigers in their 97-52 win over the University of Rio Grande on Thursday.

On the heels of an 86-58 win at No. 12 Lindsey Wilson College on Monday, fourth-ranked Campbellsville jumped out to a nine-point lead early Thursday, but Rio cut into the lead with some missed Lady Tiger shots.


Rio took a brief advantage midway through the first half, as Jenna Smith converted a Katie Allen turnover into a 27-26 lead. Allen responded with an assist on a Courtney Clifton 3 to put CU back on top, 29-27. But Campbellsville closed the half on a 21-5 run to carry a 47-32 lead into the break.

The second half was all CU, as the Lady Tigers shot 51.6 percent from the floor in the final 20 minutes, while limiting the RedStorm to 18.2 percent from the floor, including 12.5 percent from 3-point range.

"We did a great job defensively. Whitney (Ballinger) and Courtney Danis are really working well in the post," said CU head coach Ginger Colvin. "Rio is averaging 82 points a game, and to hold them to 52 is very good. I think we've stepped out and stepped up a notch. I think we defended Lindsey Wilson very well, and I think we defended Rio very well. In my opinion, Lindsey and Rio are the two most offensively talented teams in the conference."

Ballinger and Danis, two of the program's Top 10 all-time scorers, each scored more than 20 points in the game. Ballinger posted a double-double 24 points and 13 rebounds to continue her climb up the all-time scoring list, passing Jackie Prather and Farrah Sullivan for No. 6 on the all-time list (1,759 points). She rounded out her stat line with four assists, four blocks and three steals. Danis followed closely behind with a season-high 22 points - her first 20-point game since Jan. 3, 2010.

Danis picked up 12 of her points on 4-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc - her best 3-point performance of her collegiate career.

"Courtney's stepping out on the perimeter and shooting more 3s than she's shot. Obviously, we know she can score. She scored 572 her freshman year before Whitney came," Colvin said. "We know she can shoot the 3, but when she's open and stroking it like that, it's nice to see."

Colvin considered the night an overall team effort, as Megan Isaacs and Mackenzie Lee each scored 10 points, with Isaacs collecting seven rebounds and Lee with a game-high four steals. Courtney Clifton, Keisha Compton and Alexia Williams each scored over six points in the win.

Campbellsville (18-3, 11-1 MSC) regains a sole lead in the Mid-South Conference standings after No. 23 Shawnee State (10-2 MSC) was upset at the University of Virginia-Wise.

"It's a gift to us," Colvin said. "Shawnee's starting that road swing we've been on, and it's a tough one. There's still a lot of games to play, and obviously it gives a cushion, but it doesn't guarantee anything."

The Lady Tigers host West Virginia Tech on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Powell Athletic Center.


STAT SUMMARY
Rio Grande (52) - Davis 14, Smith 12, Hammond 8, Shaw 6, Kendro 5, Helton 3, Saunders 2, Delong 2. Totals 17-64 14-20 52.

Lady Tigers (97) - Ballinger 24, Danis 22, Isaacs 10, Lee 10, Clifton 8, Compton 6, Williams 6, Thomas 3, Deason 3, Dunn 3, Allen 2. Totals 33-72 17-21 97.

Half-time - Campbellsville 47-32.

Three-point goals - Rio Grande 4-18 (Davis 3), Campbellsville 12-23 (Danis 4, Ballinger 3, Lee 2, Clifton 2).

Rebounds - Rio Grande 36, Campbellsville 54 (Ballinger 13, Isaacs 7).

Assists - Rio Grande 7, Campbellsville 23 (Ballinger 4, Isaacs 3, Lee 3).

Steals - Rio Grande 8, Campbellsville 11 (Lee 4, Ballinger 3).

Blocked shots - Rio Grande 2; Campbellsville 4 (Ballinger 4).