WISE, Va. — The Lady Tigers are back on track after a couple rough road losses last week, defeating MSC opponent UVa.-Wise, 61-50. Head coach Ginger Colvin is happy with the team's effort in tonight's contest.
"I'm relieved," said Colvin. "I think after coming off those two losses we had a bad taste in our mouth. This is a team that is not accustomed to losing a lot. It doesn't matter who you are, two losses like that will put some doubt in your mind. Wise is a tough team whose record doesn't show how good they are. A lot of girls stepped up tonight, and it took a lot of players to get this win. We still were out-rebounded, but I think we have some momentum going into the Pikeville game now."
UVa.-Wise won the tip and the Cav's top-scorer Chelsea Cluesman took the first shot of the night. The ball couldn't find net though, as would be the case for the senior the entire first half. C. Cluesman's younger sister, freshman guard Mackenzie Cluesman filled her sibling's shoes, leading the team with seven points in the period.
The initial basket of the game came from CU's Mrashi Karumba who earned her first start of the season. The senior drove past the Wise defense for a baseline lay-up. The next basket came after Daizah Kimberland assisted the ball to fellow post Hayley Hellyer to bring the score to 4-0 Campbellsville (16:46).
Both teams struggled from the field, especially the Lady Cavs who took over five minutes to get on the scoreboard. Back-to-back Lady Tiger 3-pointers from Courtney Clifton and Katie Allen began a 8-0 run for CU, putting them on top 12-2 at the 12 minute mark. M. Cluesman kept Wise within arms reach scoring the next six points for the team.
Two made free-throws from senior guard Keisha Compton gave the Lady Tigers their largest lead of the game, putting them ahead 12 points (23-11) with two minutes left in the half. The Cavs responded by ending the half with a 5-0 run, though. Campbellsville went into the locker room ahead by seven, 23-16.
C. Cluesman didn't stay silent for the second half, scoring a quick five points for Wise in the first three minutes. A jumper from the senior with 12:18 remaining put the Cavaliers only one point behind CU, 32-31.
Campbellsville quickly responded with 9-0 run to extend the lead once again, four points coming from Mary Jehlik and a Mackenzie Lee 3-pointer.
Wise stayed within 10 points, and worked its way back to just a two-point deficit at the 3:23 mark.
Although CU struggled with free-throws, ending the game at only 50 percent from the charity line, they proved to be the difference maker in the end. Nine free-throw makes combined with a Ellen Sholtes' jumper gave the Tigers a final 61-50 victory.
Clifton led the team with 13 points, Jehlik behind her with nine points and six rebounds. Other scorers included: Allen (7), Sholtes (7), Hellyer (6), Lee (5), Kimberland (4), Jacob (4), Compton (4), Karumba (2).
Karumba also ended the night with nine rebounds, two offensive.
The Cluesman sisters led the Cavs, M. Cluesman with 12 and C. Cluesman with 11.
CU will be on the road again to the University of Pikeville on Saturday, Feb. 16. Tipoff time is scheduled for 2:00 EDT. To follow the team, go to www.campbellsvilletigers.com.
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