FRANKFORT, Ky. - Ellen Sholtes led the Lady Tigers in Thursday's Mid-South Conference quarterfinal game versus the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) with a career-high 17 points. Campbellsville University was on top by as many as 13 points in the second half but the Patriots worked their way back, trailing by only one point with just under a minute left in the game. Fortunately, the Lady Tiger defense, combined with nearly 80 percent free-throw shooting, was too much for Cumberlands to overcome.
"When you play a team like the Cumberlands, you aren't going to protect a big lead. They did a great job being patient and took advantage of our zone, making shots on three reversals many times. We came out with that defense knowing we would give up some three-pointers, but we're OK with it because we knew it would make them rush and also keep the ball out of the hands of their posts. They have a good post game and we wanted the ball away from them as much as possible," CU Coach Ginger Colvin said.
"Ellen did great. She is difficult to guard. She has enough size to keep her defenders on their toes. Her moves are almost boy-like the way she can stand you up and then buckles her knees and is gone. She hit big baskets for us."
Lady Patriot Dace Bicane scored the initial basket of the game from the charity stripe, her solo point in the half. The senior usually averages 29 minutes per game but only was in the game for eight in the period due to early foul trouble and then 11 in the second after an ankle injury, finishing with only five points on the night. Vernisha Moss stepped up in her absence, scoring eight points in the first half.
It took Courtney Clifton a few tries, but her third 3-point attempt finally fell to put the Lady Tigers on board. CU would stay on top of Cumberlands the rest of the game, despite a few threatening moments.
A Brooke Forsythe jumper helped the Patriots to tie Campbellsville, 7-7, at 13:20, but Sholtes soon responded, scoring an "and-one" to begin the next seven points for CU. Mary Jehlik also built Lady Tiger momentum with an "and-one" of her own just under the 11-minute mark to put Campbellsville up by eight, 17-9.
Cumberlands continued to battle throughout the half, coming within three points with six minutes left. CU's offense didn't quit and a Sholtes' lay-up ended the half, putting Campbellsville up by nine, 36-27.
Jehlik ended the half with six rebounds, all of which were offensive.
Campbellsville got its biggest lead, 44-31, early in the second half (16:31) on two Sholtes' free throws. Cumberlands responded with three quick 3-point plays including two 3-pointers from Jill Herman and a Forsythe "and-one". Just as Patriot momentum began to build, Campbellsville made a statement of its own, with back-to-back shots from behind the arc from Katie Allen and Clifton (52-40; 13:45). It seemed CU had it in the bag, but yet another Herman 3-pointer quickly brought Cumberlands back, 62-56, with under five minutes in the game.
A couple of free shots plus a shot off the inbounds from Moss brought it even closer at the two-minute mark, Cumberlands trailing by three, 63-60
Moss went on to pick up her fifth foul on Sholtes in the next CU possession, putting her out of the game with 13 points and six rebounds. With just over a minute in the game, Sholtes went to the line for two free throws but was unable to hit either after being 11-for-13 previously.
Bicane, back in the game with a limp leg, took the ball to the hoop and brought her team within just a point at the 1:15 mark, 63-62. She went on to steal the ball on the other end of the court, but Jehlik's defense came to the rescue, blocking Herman's shot and deflecting the ball to Clifton who was immediately fouled. Clifton, an 85 percent free-throw shooter, made both with 16.6 seconds left on the clock.
Erica Lane took the ball the length of the court for Cumberlands but was unable to get a make, Jehlik grabbing a rebound and also was sent to the line. Jehlik also managed both free shots, allowing CU to keep a five-point lead, 67-62, to end the game.
Behind Sholtes' 17-point performance was Jehlik with 13 points and Clifton with 12. Freshman Lindsey Burd led in rebounds with 10, Jehlik close behind with nine.
Forsythe and Herman both managed 14 for their team, followed by Moss with 13.
Campbellsville will advance to the semifinals Saturday playing No. 16 Georgetown College at 4 p.m. EST. To follow the team, go to www.campbellsvilletigers.com.
