FRANKFORT, Ky. – Campbellsville got caught up in a hot-shooting performance by Oklahoma City University and fell to the Lady Stars in the NAIA Quarterfinals for the third time in program history, 79-76.
The Lady Tigers cut into OCU's largest lead of seven, with 42 seconds left in the first half and the game went back and fourth for the remaining 20 minutes.
Campbellsville took its first lead since the 17:19 mark at 48-47 and once again took a 70-68 lead with just above five minutes left but OCU finished on an 11-6 run as CU went cold from the floor.
CU had a chance at the end but a costly turnover with 7.1 seconds left forced the Lady Tigers to foul Kayla MacKenzie. She missed the first free throw and hit the second to give Campbellsville a chance down just three points, 79-76. But Katie Allen's 3-point shot came up just short.
"We had an opportunity today but we just never could get over the hump," said CU Coach Ginger Colvin. "The biggest shot we had was at the start of the second half by Caroline Owen, but we didn't match Oklahoma City in that department overall in the last half."
The Stars shot lights out from the floor and also from behind the 3-point arc. Oklahoma finished at 52.7 percent (29-for-55) from the floor and an even 50 percent (9-for-19) from behind the arc.
Cara Pugh led the way for the Stars with a career-high 27 points, but 21 of those came in the first half. Yvonte Neal also was a difference maker, finishing with 19 points on 5-for-9 from behind the 3-point line for OCU.
"They are tremendous players," said Colvin. "It isn't like they are scrubs just throwing the ball up and it's going in. Oklahoma City is a nice team and made shots when it mattered. Pugh was definitely the difference in the game."
Campbellsville was able to use its depth and get the Stars in foul trouble down the stretch and with just over 10 minutes left in the game, OCU had two players with three fouls and two with four. Neal eventually fouled out with 32.9 seconds remaining but CU could not score after Kristen Jacob made two free throws off the foul.
"That was our game plan coming in," said Colvin. "We wanted to use our depth and let a lot of people play. There was a time when we had them tired and they had their reserves in but we weren't able to hit enough shots."
Oklahoma City wasn't the only team to come out hot in the first half. Both programs shot well from the very beginning, each knocking down their first 3-of-4 3-point attempts.
Allen and Owen both shared the production in the first half, with Allen hitting 3-of-5 and Owen hitting 2-of-5. But the duo went cold in the second half and Campbellsville could not match the production from Oklahoma City. Allen finished the tournament with 12 triples.
Campbellsville shot 55 percent in the first half but dropped to 41.9 percent (26-for-62) overall. CU also shot a blistering 63.6 percent from behind the arc but finished only hitting on triple in the second half and cooled off for 35 percent (7-for-20).
Freshman LeeAnn Grider, who is known for her defense and distributing the ball to others, picked up valuable playing time in the NAIA Tournament and played 18 minutes in the quarterfinal game. She forced numerous OCU turnovers and picked up three steals.
"I thought LeeAnn played really well tonight," said Colvin. "She played with confidence and poise as a freshman and pestered their guards all day on the defensive end. She has a bright future for us at the point."
Daizah Kimberland, who has been held to single-digit scoring the previous seven games, broke out of her little funk and finished with 11 points and a team-high seven rebounds.
Campbellsville's seniors led the Lady Tigers throughout the tournament and once again in the final game. Ellen Sholtes finished one point shy of her career-high with 21 points.
Allen added six assists to her 13 points, tying her national tournament career-high.
Hayley Hellyer and Mary Jehlik never lit up the stat sheet but were both major assets to the team with their experience and leadership. Jehlik hit a big 3-pointer in the first half and both girls picked up timely rebounds for the Lady Tigers down the stretch.
"This was a special group of girls and the seniors have been great all season," said Colvin. "I've said all year this group is so selfless and it shows every game. I am proud of their accomplishments on the court but also off the court. They represented our program the best way they could have."
Campbellsville's season ends one win shy from tying the school record with an overall record of 32-4 and 16-2 in the Mid-South Conference. The Lady Tigers won the MSC Regular Season and Tournament championships and were the last conference team left in the 32-team field.
"This was a great year with the conference championships, but this one is what we wanted the most," said Colvin. "I had a great feeling coming into this game but we could not come up with the big shot or defensive stop when we needed it."
In addition to game releases, Lady Tiger travel companion Richard RoBards is writing a daily diary for a behind-the-scenes look at the NAIA DI WBB National Tournament. You can find the CU Tournament central page and diaries, HERE!
You can also follow Lady Tiger Basketball throught the off season on Twitter - @LTB_CU and @CvilleTigers. Also on Facebook - Campbellsville Lady Tiger Basketball.
