CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. -- The Campbellsvile University Lady Tigers retained their undefeated Mid-South Conference record tonight as they defeated the St. Catharine College Patriots, 90-70. Junior guard Katie Allen had a career-high 15 points against the Patriots, helping her team to the victory.
"That was a good win," said head coach Ginger Colvin. "It is always a hard place to come as we found out with a loss here last year. I'm really proud of my kids because they battled. In games like this, when it's a rivalry and its close, I think as long as they battle they are going to come up with the loose balls and the rebounds you have to have. Our three starting guards were really good tonight, and then Keisha Compton and Mash came in and played well, along with Hayley Hellyer. It's nice to have a good balance, where we don't have to rely on just one player. I'm really proud of all of them."
Campbellsville took the lead within the first minute with a two-point field goal from Chelsea Craig. The Patriots would gain a lead in the 16th minute after Rianne Hofstraat rebounded off a CU miss and scored on the fast break, but it would be the only SC lead of the game as CU battled back, keeping the Patriots fighting from behind. The gap stayed below five points until a St. Catherine turnover yielded way to a basket from freshman forward Lindsey Burd in the 11th minute, putting the score at 13-20.
The Patriots answered with a 3-point basket, but the following 9-2 run by CU ensured a double-digit advantage. Senior guard Mackenzie Lee led the team's first-half scoring with 10 points, Burd behind her with eight. The Lady Tigers went into the locker room ahead, 39-28.
St. Catharine was the first to put points on the board out of the half, but Campbellsville continued to outscore the Patriots by a steadily increasing margin. Although CU was cold from behind the arc tonigh, it shot nearly 50 percent from the field. CU ended the night with a 20-point victory, 90-70.
Rebounding was a key contributor to the team's success. Campbellsville out-rebounded the Patriots 42-33 with 16 offensive boards as compared to SCC's nine.
SCC forward Reilly Poirier racked up 17 more points to add to her six from the first half, making her the top-scorer of the night with 23.
Close behind Allen's 15 points was Courtney Clifton with 14, followed by Lee with 12, Craig with 10, Keisha Compton with nine, and Hayley Hellyer and Lindsey Burd both with eight.
CU is now 7-2 on the season, 4-0 in MSC play. The next Lady Tiger game will be away against MSC opponent, Georgetown College at 2 p.m. EDT. To follow the team, go to www.campbellsvilletigers.com.
