McKENZIE, Tenn. — Campbellsville opened its 2014-15 women's basketball season Friday with a victory over No. 18 Xavier University (La.), 74-62.

Caroline Owen finished one point shy of a career high, hitting five 3-pointers to lead all scorers with 26 points.

"It was a tough opening game for us," said CU coach Ginger Colvin. "Xavier comes in preseason No. 18 and does a lot of good things on the defensive side of the ball. Our seniors stepped up big tonight when we needed them, and it's always good to start the season with a win."

BOX SCORE

Although, the final was a double-digit win, Xavier did not make it easy for the Lady Tigers. The Golden Nuggets and Campbellsville met last season in the NAIA National Tournament with CU pulling out a 59-54 nail-bitter. This game turned out to be very similar.

The Lady Tigers started out as hot as they could have wanted. CU took a 16-3 lead after Owen, LeeAnn Grider and Daizah Kimberland all knocked down early 3-pointers. But the adrenaline of the season opener slowed down and Xavier started to chip away.

The Golden Nuggets scorched the nets, going on a 16-3 run and knotted the game at 19 apiece. But Madison Clements checked into the game and scored six-straight points to give CU a 25-20 lead. The sophomore guard from Clementsville, Tenn., finished with seven points, adding a free throw late in the game.

Campbellsville finished the half on a 12-6 run and led at the intermission, 31-25.

The Golden Nuggets caused CU havoc on the offensive end by stepping up their defensive pressure. Xavier finished the first half with five steals and forced 11 Lady Tiger turnovers.

In the second half, Xavier stuck to its game plan of full-court pressure still giving CU fits. But the Lady Tigers made adjustments and stepped their defense up as well.

CU forced The Golden Nuggets into 24 turnovers, but also lost possession 25 times themselves.

"We knew that it would be a run-and-jump-type defense," said Colvin. "It was what we expected but they are a tough team to start with considering the style of play. Obviously having that many turnovers is one of the downfalls, but it's the first game of the season and that is something we can improve on."

With the extended pressure by Xavier, that opened up passing lanes and open shots from the perimeter.

Knotted at 49, Kimberland drained a 3-pointer from the left wing, giving CU a 52-49 lead, but Xavier's Eliqua Brooks matched with a 3 of her own.

The Golden Nuggets didn't go away and tied the game at 56 with just over four minutes to play, but Owen, the senior from Carthage, Tenn., stepped up and nailed her fourth 3-pointer to give CU a 59-56 lead that it did not relinquish.

Owen swished her fifth triple with 1:16 on the clock, on a step-back 3-pointer. But the nail was put in the coffin after Kimberland stepped in front of Trana Hopkins for a charging call, which later led to a Xavier technical called on head coach Bo Browder.

Owen knocked down 3-of-4 free throws during the dead ball to push CU up 70-60 and later hit four more freebies to end just one shy of her career high, set last year on New Year's Eve against Milligan College. Owen broke the school record with nine 3-pointers to finish with 27 points in that game.

"That was a gutsy performance by Caroline," said Colvin. "She was good on both ends of the floor and knocked down the big shots when we needed them. That is who she is as a ball player."

Kimberland finished behind Owen with 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Lindsey Burd missed a double-double by one point, finishing with nine and collecting 12 rebounds.

The Lady Tigers will continue play in the Chamber of Commerce shootout at Bethel University tomorrow at 1 p.m. CU will play Harris-Stowe State College (Mo.).

You can watch the action live on the Bethel University website, HERE. Also, live stats will be available, HERE.

As always, you can follow the Lady Tigers on social media platforms. Twitter - @LTB_CU and @CvilleTigers. Facebook – Campbellsville Tigers.