CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky.– The #4 Campbellsville University women's basketball faced off against Cumberland University Thursday evening. The Lady Tigers improved to an 18-1 record as they defeated the Phoenix 80-55.
Kaitlynn Wilks gained Campbellsville's lead early as she tacked on two buckets for the Lady Tigers. Campbellsville's offense was clicking as Maddy Boyle and Lauren Lee tallied two three-point baskets in consecutive possessions. The Lady Tigers earned a double-digit lead when Courtney Pritchett's jumper went through. The Phoenix could not break through Campbellsville's defense often to lessen their deficit.
Into the second quarter, the Lady Tigers continued to add to their lead. Wilks opened up with a couple of buckets underneath the rim. Cumberland University struggled to gain enough ground but cut their discrepancy to eight points. Campbellsville kept from settling for long as they pushed the Phoenix into the most significant shortfall of the match. Pritchett's bucket from the arc solidified the Lady Tigers `13-point lead. Campbellsville kept racking up their score and limited Cumberland's scoring as they ended the half 39-26.
At the half, Wilks had accumulated ten points and five rebounds, allowing her to lead in both categories. Lauren Lee was a team player as she tallied eight assists and five points. The Lady Tigers shot 48.3% in field goals, 50% from the arc, and 100% at the charity stripe. Campbellsville doubled the Phoenix in assists with 14 total to Cumberland's seven.
The Phoenix became more active in the third quarter as they found more consistent ways to penetrate the Campbellsville defense. However, the Lady Tigers continued to maintain their lead with buckets delivered by Boyle in back-to-back possessions. Kayla Luebbe went for a layup under the basket and drew in the foul. Luebbe's made free-throw put the Lady Tigers up 58-42. Campbellsville collected one more bucket from Elizabeth Bertram to enter the final quarter with an 18-point lead.
Campbellsville allowed no room for further rebuttal. Wilks brought the Lady Tigers to a 21-point lead. The Lady Tigers busted open their advantage even further as they continuously knocked down shots. Campbellsville gave their opponent late opportunities from the stripe but bested the Phoenix 80-55.
By the game's end, Campbellsville finished with 48.3% in field goals, 46.8% in three-pointers, and 81.3% from the free throw. Wilks continued to lead with 16 points and eight rebounds. Luebbe collected 13 points and six rebounds, while Sarah Sutton followed closely with 14 points. Lee finished with 11 assists out of the team's 25.
The Lady Tigers will return to Powell Athletic Center for another Mid-South Conference competition. Campbellsville will battle the University of Tennessee Southern Saturday, January 21st. The home match-up tip-off is set for 1 p.m. ET.
