BILLINGS, Mont. — For the 25
th time in program history, Lady Tiger basketball is prepping for another NAIA Tournament. Campbellsville, which earned a three-seed, is playing the Tornados of Talladega College on Wednesday, March 15 at the Rimrock Auto Arena at Metra Park.
Tipoff is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. ET (1:45 MT) in the NAIA DI Women's Basketball National Tournament presented by Wells Fargo.
The Tornados clinched a bid to the Big Dance by winning the Gulf Coast Regular Season and Tournament Championships. The Lady Tigers picked up their at-large bid by the final ranking in the NAIA Coaches' Poll (No. 10).
Fans can follow the action on the Campbellsville University Sports Network, 88.7 The Tiger, as
Matt Payton will have the radio call starting at 3:30 ET.
The Lady Tigers have now qualified for 25 NAIA Tournaments – the most by any team surpassing former NAIA program Union University.
In addition, the NAIA Network – the association's official video streaming home – will broadcast the first 30 games leading up to the championship final on ESPN3. The video platform, powered by Stretch Internet, allows users access to live video, statistics, and social interaction on a number of devices, including mobile. Single day passes can be purchased for $9.95, while an all-tournament package is available at $29.95.
No. 10 Campbellsville (25-6) vs. No. 24 Talladega (22-8)
The Lady Tigers and Tornados are meeting for the first time in the national championship tournament but the fifth time in program history. Campbellsville and Talladega have also met twice this season, with the Lady Tigers prevailing in both.
In game one on Nov. 7, Campbellsville's
Madison Clements scored five points in the final 20 seconds with two of those a game-winning runner in the lane with three clicks left for CU to win 73-72 in Talladega, Ala.
In game two on Nov. 21, it was a much different story. It was Campbellsville's home-opener and the Lady Tigers routed the Tornados, 100-57.
Overall in the series, Campbellsville leads with a 3-1 record. Talladega upset the Lady Tigers last season in Alabama, 83-79, for its first win in the series.
The Lady Tigers are led by senior
Emily Fox's 14.6 points per game but CU has a plethora of scoring weapons.
Madison Clements scores a clip of 12.3 points, while sophomores
Jordan Doram and
Madison Stewart are both averaging 10.3 points.
The Lady Tigers defense is what keeps them going. CU ranks No. 3 in the NAIA with 399 steals and averages 13.3 steals per game. In addition, the Lady Tigers take care of the rock by ranking No. 5 in assists per game and No. 11 in assist/turnover ratio (1.108).
Led by Tajanee Wells 18 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, she has scored in double-figures 24 times this season and dropped a career-high 35 points earlier in the season. Her 18 points per game ranks No. 12 in the NAIA. Tasheba Henry is another threat for TC, scoring almost 14 points per game and grabbing 4.2 rebounds a contest.
In addition, Talladega is entering the tournament by winning 13 of its last 14 games and the last six.
