INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Hot shooting led the Campbellsville Lady Tigers past the Golden Nuggets of Xavier University this morning, 74-50, in the first round of the NAIA National Tournament at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. 

Campbellsville (26-7) shot 40-percent from beyond the arc and connected on 8-out-of-20 3-point baskets ending a five game win-streak for Xavier (22-12). From the floor CU shot 46-percent (26-of-56), while holding the Golden Nuggets to only 35-percent (19-of-54). 

Junior sharpshooter, Emily Fox found her groove as she drained five 3's (5-of-12) — the most for Fox since the Lady Tigers played at University of Pikeville on Feb. 11 when she hit six (6-of-11). Fox posted 21 points and a game-high eight rebounds.

Lindsey Burd led both teams with 22 points while also hauling in six boards, dishing out five assists and two steals in the win. She shot 57 percent from the floor (8-of-14) and went 6-of-7 from the charity stripe.

"They (Xavier) are very athletic, very physical — bigger than us at every single spot," said coach Ginger Colvin. "Emily Fox hit some big shots, really made them extend, which opened up the middle for Lindsey Burd."

LeeAnn Grider added two made 3-point field goals (2-of-3), as she ended the game with 12 points, seven assists and two steals.

The Lady Tigers set the pace early, going on a 13-0 run to finish the first quarter ahead, 20-7. Grider put CU up by three at the 4:33 mark with a two-point bucket assisted by Burd. CU would never relinquish the lead. Fox ended the first quarter with an exclamation mark, hitting her second 3 of the contest.

The Golden Nuggets evened the scoring in the second period, scoring double what they did in the first, but the Lady Tigers matched them point for point. Going into halftime, CU was up by 14 points, 36-22. The second half was much of the same with tight defense coming from the Lady Tigers.

CU passed the ball very well — finding the open Lady Tiger, creating opportunities for 23 assists. Thenty-three is most for CU since it played Reinhardt University on December 29, when the Lady Tigers had 25.

Campbellsville outrebounded Xavier 38-27. The Lady Tigers recorded nine steals, producing 15 points off Xavier's turnovers. 

"We had to be better rebounders than they were today, and for our kids, as un-athletic as we are, to outrebound them 38-27 today, shows that we are ready to play," said Colvin. 

Gulf Coast Athletic Conference first team member, Whitney Gathwright recorded a team-high 16 points, four rebounds and four assists.

The Lady Tigers will play The Masters', a 59-57 winner over Loyola, in the second round (round of 16) of the NAIA National Tournament at 9 a.m. on Friday, March 18.