CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Campbellsville (23-2, 13-1 MSC) used a 35-11 run in the middle of the first half to put the game out of reach and rolled to a 83-47 win over University of Rio Grande (15-10, 4-9 MSC).
"This was a great overall game tonight," said CU Lady Tiger head coach Ginger Colvin. "We played a complete game on the offensive and defensive side. Our first group did not start out great and play with energy but our second group stepped up and our team started to feed off them."
Brianna Thomas, who leads the MSC in scoring per game, used her speed to give Rio its first lead, 6-4 with 16:43 left. CU's Daizah Kimberland answered with a bucket of her own to tie the game, but Kaylyn Gambill hit a 3-pointer to give the RedStorm the lead back, 9-6 with 14:39 left. It was the final time Rio Grande would lead.
Campbellsville would most definitely answer. Colvin entered her second group into the lineup and made and instant impact.
Angie Lawrence made her presence felt just 10 seconds on the court. The junior from Broadhead, Ky. hit her lone 3-pointer of the game to spark a 20-0 CU run.
Two possessions later, Mary Jehlik came down and hit another CU 3-pointer to extend the lead to 16-9. Lawrence then picked up a steal and LeeAnn Grider, who had her Jamestown Christian Church congregation in the crowd tonight, used a sweet pass to Kristen Jacob for another bucket.
Jacob finished tying a career high with 10 points. She hit four field goals, all which were on a pass from Grider, and hit two free throws. Grider finished with a game-high seven assists.
"That is awesome," said Colvin of Jacob tying her career-high. "She plays with a lot of energy and is always going 100 percent. We are trying to work with her offensive game and get her the ball more. It is all confidence for Kristen and tonight helped her tremendously in that aspect."
Rio Grande head coach David Smalley was forced to call his second timeout of the first half with 10:06 remaining.
The Lady Tigers didn't stop, though, as Grider picked up another steal and hit a short five-footer in the paint to force Smalley to call his third timeout with Campbellsville now leading 22-9.
Campbellsville's second group would score six more points before the RedStorm hit a free throw to end the skid with 5:55 left in the first half. Rio Grande went nine-plus minutes without a point.
"Our bench played great tonight," said Colvin. "But at this point in the season it's hard to call them our bench because some of the best scorers will come off the bench. We went from down three to up 17 with them in the game. They have played great all season."
Although, CU went on a 35-11 run to end the half, Jehlik got the crowd on its feet for a small standing ovation. Rio's Ciara Herring drove to the basket but Jehlik met her at the right block and used her 17th block of the season to deny Herring.
"Mary Jehlik came in not shooting the ball that great lately but definitely shot the ball better tonight," said Colvin. "The thing about Mary is she can score in bunches but her height and length is such a asset on the defensive side as well. It showed on that play."
CU went into the intermission with a 44-21 lead and held Thomas to only six first half points.
The Lady Tigers would keep the gas pedal down in the second stanza. CU started the half scoring 21 of the first 30 points and finished the game on a 77-39 run since Rio Grande had its last lead at 9-6 at the 14:39 mark in the first half.
Although, the Campbellsville offense really stepped up tonight, it was the defense that shined throughout. CU finished the game forcing 31 RedStorm turnovers and picking up 19 steals. It is the second highest forced turnover game of the season, as the Lady Tigers forced 33 against University of the Cumberlands on Jan. 11.
"Our defense is really getting comfortable with each other," said Colvin. "They play with the trust that is needed, especially since we try to put so much pressure on the opponent. It helps that we are so deep and can add bodies into the lineup and not lose any production."
CU also picked up 48 bench points compared to only 21 from the RedStorm. Jacob's 10, Hayley Hellyer scored 10 and Jehlik pitched in nine to lead CU off the bench.
Rio came into the game ranked No. 3 in the NAIA in scoring with 87.2 points per game. But CU held the RedStorm to a season low 47 points.
"Holding them to only 47 points says a lot about our defense," said Colvin. "We take a lot of pride and everyone has bought into our pressure-defensive style. Our rebounding was also better tonight. Overall a great game on the defensive side on the ball."
Every Lady Tiger dressed, logged minutes and was added to the score column. Colvin speaks highly of her deep bench and thinks some of her best scorers do not get much playing time because of great players who are in front of them.
"Macie Spence and Madison Clements do not log a lot of minutes as freshman but their scoring ability will be a major asset in the future for our program."
With the win tonight, CU is on a 10-game winning streak and moves to 23-2 for the first time since the 2009-10 season when it finished 33-3 and made a trip to the NAIA Quarterfinals. The Lady Tigers have lost only once to Rio Grande (2008) but have now won 11 straight over the RedStorm.
CU will return to Powell Athletic Center on Saturday, Feb. 15, as the Lady Tigers will host Shawnee State University (12-12, 5-8 MSC). Also, the Campbellsville coaching staff is set to congratulate its four Lady Tiger seniors (Ellen Sholtes, Katie Allen, Mary Jehlik and Hayley Hellyer) on Saturday, 15 minutes before tipoff.
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.
