CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — The Campbellsville University women's basketball team began conference play on the right foot Thursday night, defeating the University of Pikeville 91-60. The win puts the Lady Tigers at 3-1 on the season, 1-0 in Mid-South Conference (MSC) play.
Although CU ended the first half with an 11-point lead (41-30), head coach Ginger Colvin wasn't completely satisfied with her team's initial play.
"It wasn't a good effort," said Colvin. "I don't know if it was nerves or what, but it's no excuse. If Chelsea Craig didn't have such a good half from the line, we wouldn't have had a lead going into the half."
Craig, a junior forward from Frankfort, Ky., owned the first 20 minutes with 15 points, seven of those being free-throws. She was followed by junior guard Mackenzie Lee who racked up seven points, Daizah Kimberland with six, and Mash Karumba with seven.
Six minutes into the second half, CU finally widened the gap by 15 points on a Karumba free-throw. Senior guard Courtney Clifton heightened the team's energy, unleashing eight quick points, with two shots from behind the arc, in less than a minute and a half.
Campbellsville continued to pull away, ending the night with a 31-point lead over the Bears. Twelve Lady Tigers contributed to the final tally, four totaling in double-digits. Lee and Craig tied as leaders with 15 total points, Clifton with 12, and Kimberland with 10.
CU shot 53.6 percent from the field and nearly 90 percent from behind the free-throw line.
Karumba led the team in rebounds (8) and ended with nine points on the night.
"Mash was my player of the game, hands down," said Colvin. "She brings so much energy to the floor and had some outstanding rebounds. She is great on both ends of the court and executes in a lot of ways that don't necessarily show up on the stat sheet. She is pivotal."
CU was down two players and prime contributors in tonight's match-up. Freshman forward Lindsey Burd is recovering from mono while sophomore forward Mary Jehlik is down with an ankle injury. Colvin believes the team will benefit greatly when the starters return, but doesn't think their absence is an excuse for poor play.
"We have to do better offensively and we have to have better energy," said Colvin. "UVA-Wise comes in here Saturday and they are a very good basketball team. We can't spot them points and we must be prepared."
The Lady Tigers will face UVA-Wise this Saturday at 2 p.m. EST in the Powell Athletic Center. To follow the team, go to www.campbellsvilletigers.com.
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