PIKEVILLE, Ky. -  The mojo the Lady Tigers lost in Columbia, Mo. over New Year's was miraculously recovered sometime during a four-hour bus trip on Thursday to Eastern Kentucky. CU got back into Mid-South Conference play in a big way, defeating the Lady Bears, 92-52.



"We needed that," said Coach Ginger Colvin. "We did a pretty good job defensively and we took care of the ball better."

CU (11-6, 2-2) built on an 11-point halftime lead and ballooned it to 25 points with seven minutes to go. Mackenzie Lee, who led the Lady Tigers with 8 points and 2 rebounds at the half, ended up with 27 and 8. It was a career scoring night for Lee and only the second time she has scored 20 points or more. Mary Jehlik was very efficient, scoring all 8 of her points in the first half on 4-6 shooting.

"We played a lot of kids and finally wore them down a little bit," Colvin said.

Pikeville's leading scorer, Whitney Jackson, was held six points below her average. Pikeville drops to 4-12, 0-5 MSC.

"We have had really good practices this week and this is a great way to start the new year," Colvin continued.

Lee was joined in double figures by Courtney Clifton with 13. Clifton also had 6 boards.

Colvin had the luxury of clearing her bench for the final seven minutes and when Daizah Kimberland hit a lay-up off a nice feed from Caroline Owen, CU led 86-46. At one point during the game all five freshmen were on the floor at the same time, contributing a total of 22 points and 7 rebounds in an average of eight minutes each.

Campbellsville built a lead of 14 points in the first half when Megan Isaacs hit consecutive buckets with about three minutes to go. The Lady Tigers took care of the ball a little better than they have been, holding a 6-14 first-half edge over Pikeville in that statistical department and taking a 38-27 lead into intermission. They ended with 12 turnovers to Pikeville's 22.

"We have been preaching rebounding and ball security," said Colvin. "We can score, but we have been giving up 18-20 opportunities a game without a shot."

The Lady Tigers stay on the road in Mid-South Conference play when they travel on Saturday to UVa. Wise. Tipoff at 2:00. 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 (92) - Lee 27,  Allen 6, Compton 5, Jehlik ,8 Clifton 13, Owen 5, Kimberland 5, Shelley 5, Isaacs 5, Hellyer 2, Ramage 1, Young 6, Craig 4. Totals 33-70 18-27 92.
Pikeville (52) - Chr. Haney 11, Conley 10, Wainscott 4, Jackson 6,  Jones 4, Stamper 11, Co. Haney 2, Lyons 2, Shouse-Stacy 2. Totals 22-55 7-19 52.
Half-time -  Campbellsville 38-27.
Three-point goals - Pikeville 1-10 (Haney), Campbellsville 8-17 (Lee 3, Clifton 3, Owen 1).
Rebounds - Pikeville 33 (Conley 7, Stamper 6), Campbellsville 48 (Lee 8, Jehlik 4, Clifton 6, Hellyer 5, Craig 4).
Assists - Pikeville 8 (Haney 3), Campbellsville 9 (Compton 2, Clifton 2).
Steals - Pikeville 6 (Wainscott 2), Campbellsville 14 (Lee 3, Compton 3, Isaacs 4).