JACKSON, Tenn. -- Play defense and let the offense take care of itself. That was head coach Ginger Colvin's pregame instructions Thursday, and her Lady Tigers did not disappoint. Campbellsville University held John Brown University to only 30 percent shooting and three 3-pointers in a 76-51 victory to kickoff its play in the NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament at Oman Arena.

Coupled with the Lady Tigers' defense was a balanced offensive attack with five players scoring nine-plus points on 45 percent shooting, including eight Lady Tiger 3s.

"Defensively, we were really concerned. They have a very nice offensive scheme and we knew they would be hard to defend," Colvin said. "We came out and hit a couple of 3s early that took the lid off the basket, if you will, and we were able to relax a little bit. Anytime you hit eight 3s, you can't complain, but we also moved the ball around today and everyone contributed."

Lexington, Ky., native Courtney Clifton broke a 4-4 tie with back-to-back 3s and sparked a 10-0 run to give Campbellsville its first double-figure lead of the game, 14-4.

Kortni Kendrick broke the run to end a four minute scoring drought with the Golden Eagles' first 3 of the game with 13:39 to play in the half. But the lead didn't break, as the Lady Tigers entered the half up 41-22. The 19-point margin at the half was the largest of the day Thursday and only a point away from Oklahoma City's 20-point lead at intermission Wednesday, 47-27 over Montana Tech.

In the second half, CU slowly stretched its lead to pull away from the Golden Eagles. Anna Parrish popped a 3 from the right wing for JBU's first points of the second half. But it was the last 3-ball for a team that averages more than seven a game.

Clifton traded the Lady Tigers' scoring lead with Whitney Ballinger throughout the game, as Ballinger led all players with 17 points and Clifton followed closely with 14. The duo combined for 15 rebounds, with Clifton leading the pack with eight boards. Courtney Danis, who scored a layup off the opening tip, had 12 points for CU, while Corin Dunn scored 10 points in 13 minutes off play off the bench. Melly Heaton, who had nine points for CU, gave the Lady Tigers' their largest lead of the game at 27 points, 55-28, with one of her three 3-pointers.

Clifton and Danis led CU with four assists each, followed by three each from point guards Mackenzie Lee and T.J. Thomas.

CU cleared its bench in the game, giving its starters some rest before Friday's second round game. The five Lady Tigers starters averaged 23.6 minutes of play.

John Brown was led by Sierra Shipley's 13 points and 10 from Chelsea Garrison.

Campbellsville (29-3) will face Langston University (Okla.) in the second round Friday night at 8 p.m. CT at Oman Arena. Langston sent Vanguard University (Calif.) packing after the first round Thursday with a 54-47 win. The Lady Lions ended an eight-year run of Vanguard reaching at least the NAIA quarterfinals.


In addition to game day coverage, CU Sports Information Assistant, and Lady Tiger travel companion, Richard RoBards, will keep fans updated from the NAIA DI Women's Basketball Tournament with his diary log. Complete tournament coverage of Lady Tiger Basketball can be found,here.

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