CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Emily Fox matched her career-high for the second time this season against Talladega College and led Campbellsville's charge in avenging an earlier loss, 67-55 on Saturday afternoon in Powell Athletic Center.
Fox, the reigning Mid-South Conference Player of the Week, scored 25 points matching her total from the Nov. 14 loss to Talladega (10-3, 0-0 GSAC). In the previous four games, Fox has averaged 22.4 points to lead Campbellsville after scoring more than 24 in three of those contests.
Fox hit 41 percent from the floor, 40 percent from 3, and 7-for-8 free throws. Lexxus Graham used two triples of her own to put up 16 points, while LeeAnn Grider had 11.
Campbellsville (10-3, 3-1 MSC) used a fierce 1-3-1 defense to force 20 Tornado turnovers. Talladega returned the favor, though, causing 17 Lady Tiger turnovers and clamped down in the second half to hold Campbellsville to just 27 second half points.
Campbellsville and Talladega mixed it up evenly in the first half with six ties and nine lead changes before the Lady Tigers jumped out to their largest lead of eight points right before halftime. Grider hit Fox on a backdoor pass to put the Lady Tigers ahead, 40-32 but Talladega cut the lead to six at halftime, 40-34.
The Lady Tigers found the backdoor pass to be the best way to break down Talladega's smothering defense. Fox, Lindsey Burd, and Graham were all able to score via quick back cuts to the paint. Burd tallied ten points and six rebounds for the day.
Leading 50-42 with 1:30 left in the third quarter, Fox hit her fourth 3-pointer to push CU to the half-century mark and spark a 14-4 run. But Talladega would not go away, answering with an 8-2 run, cutting the lead to six points after a 3-pointer by Shakeena Benton, 61-55.
Benton led the Tornadoes with 17 points before fouling out in with five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
In the final minute, Talladga was in panic mode, fouling to try an extend the game but Fox knocked down four free throws and Graham knocked down two to give Campbellsville its 10th win.
Campbellsville struggled in the second half, shooting just 26 percent from the floor. For the game, Talladega out-shot the Lady Tigers hitting 41.4 percent compared to 39 percent for CU. Campbellsville was able to knock down 41 percent from behind the 3-point line, while Talladega struggled, hitting on 4-of-16 (25 percent).
Five Lady Tigers tallied five or more rebounds for CU. Kristen Jacob, Abby Miller, and Burd each grabbed six. Six players also recorded steals, led by Grider and Graham, each with four.
Campbellsville will end the fall semester in Puerto Rico with two regular season games. The Lady Tigers take on the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez on Dec. 17.
To follow the Lady Tigers throughout the year, check out @LTB_CU, @CvilleTigers on Twitter and Campbellsville Tigers on Facebook.
