CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Lady Tiger basketball went on a 46-15 run spanning the first and second halfs to put the dagger in Cumberland University early on and winning, 70-54.
After a sloppy start and five turnovers combined for both teams in the first four minutes, Campbellsville came alive and started the route over the visiting Bulldogs.
"It was the best first 15 minutes we have played all season," said CU Lady Tiger Head Coach Ginger Colvin. "We attacked offensively and used our posts underneath to take advantage of the short-handed Cumberland team."
With Cumberland leading 11-10, Daizah Kimberland scored eight quick points and Campbellsville went on a 35-11 run from the 14:57 mark to lead at halftime.
Cumberland U. came to Powell Athletic Center short handed as their second highest scorer, Calamity Jane Coley, has been out since Jan. 11 with an illness. She is one of the best posts in the conference and a force to reckon with in the paint. Katie Smith, Cumberlands' only true forward in the post that made the trip, picked up her third foul with 10 minutes remaining when she went to the bench. The Bulldogs did not have an answer for Campbellsville's forwards.
Kimberland picked up four offensive rebounds to lead the Lady Tigers and grabbed five total rebounds in the first half. Campbellsville picked up 24 as a team compared to only six first-half rebounds for Cumberland.
Bulldog head coach Jeremy Lewis made a risky move and brought Smith back with 2:31 left in the first half but it was too late. The Tigers went on a 22-7 run with Smith out of the lineup.
Cumberland struggled with the Campbellsville's defensive pressure as the Lady Tigers forced 17 turnovers and recorded 10 steals in the opening frame. The Lady Tigers forced 24 total turnovers in the game but also had 23 of their own.
"With Coley out for them we were able to extend our defense out and put more pressure on their guards," said Colvin. "She is a great player and it makes a big difference when she's in or out of the lineup."
Kimberland led Campbellsville at the half with 15 points and Caroline Owen was the only other Lady Tiger in double-figures with 10. Katie Allen dished out five assists and scored her only bucket on a short runner outside the paint with time running out in the first half and giving Campbellsville a 45-22 lead.
Campbellsville came out of the half and went on a 12-4 run to extend its lead to 57-26. Ellen Sholtes scored six of her seven points during that run, as her speed and quickness off the dribble was too much for the Cumberland guards to handle.
The Bulldogs cut the Campbellsville lead to 21 points on free throws by Casie Cowan. She is their leading scorer with 16 points a game was held to just 12 points on 4-for-12 shooting and 2-for-5 from behind the 3-point line.
Although Campbellsville got back out to a 28 point lead, Cumberland did not give in as they held the Lady Tigers to only two points in the final 4:20. The Bulldogs cut the lead almost in half as finished the game on a 12-0 run.
But it was too little too late as CU built too big of a lead. The game ended much closer than it actually was, as Campbellsville won 70-54.
Kimberland led Campbellsville with a career-high 19 points. Caroline Owen pitched in 10 for the only other Lady Tiger in double-figures. Katie Allen finished with only two points but dished out a season-high eight assists. Hayley Hellyer only scored four points but was able to have four passes that led to baskets to tie her career-high in assists.
"It may have been the best 15 minutes of the game but it was also maybe the worst last five minutes," said Colvin. "We lost our focus and Cumberland it a great team. They are coached very well and they never give up. When they get their full team back on the court, they will be a force to reckon with in the MSC Tournament."
With the win the Lady Tigers move to 20-2 and 10-1 in the MSC. Coming into the day, CU was tied with Georgetown College at the top of the MSC standings but GC lost to Rio Grande 81-88, giving Campbellsville the out-right lead in the conference.
Campbellsville will now hit the road to Williamsburg, Ky. on Thursday, Feb. 6 to take on University of the Cumberlands (14-6, 8-2 MSC). Game time is set for 6 p.m. CU will then travel to MSC rival Georgetown College (15-4, 9-2 MSC) on Saturday, Feb. 8.
"We have a big week ahead of us as we travel to Cumberland and Georgetown," said Colvin. "Like I have said all year I believe the conference is going to come down to the last weekend and it will be close. We have to worry about one game at a time and take care of business."
To follow the Lady Tigers throughout the rest of the 2013-14 season, check them out on Twitter - @LTB_CU and @CvilleTigers. Also on Facebook – Campbellsville Tigers.
