CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky.– The #4 Lady Tigers basketball team returned to the hardwood to host the UT Southern Firehawks. Campbellsville's deep bench propelled the Lady Tigers to a 94-49 win over the Firehawks.
The team struggled to get a shot to fall through in the Lady Tiger's first few minutes of play. The Firehawks heavily defended the post, which led Campbellsville to opt for outside shots or break through the defenders that resided in the paint. Kaitlynn Wilks collected a basket and a foul in back-to-back possessions that gained Campbellsville a four-point lead. A UT Southern guard fired three consecutive shots from the arc to place them in the lead. Campbellsville suffered, going 0-6 from the area due to UT Southern defense.
Into the second quarter, the Lady Tigers led with double digits. Elizabeth Bertram bumped up Campbellsville's three-point field goals as she tallied two buckets from the semi-sphere. Bertram's bucket increased the Firehawks' deficit to 21 points. The Lady Tigers began to exert stouter defense, leading UT Southern to 28.6% in field goals. Campbellsville started to create space for open shots, which allowed Sarah Sutton to knock down several three-pointers. By the end of the quarter, Campbellsville climbed from 0% to 40% from the arc.
The Lady Tigers bested the Firehawks in the paint as they collected 16 points to UT Southern's four points under the basket. Campbellsville was granted 16 opportunities at the charity stripe, while the Firehawks missed their one chance at the line. Campbellsville's defense forced UT Southern into 12 turnovers which they exchanged for 16 points. Sutton ended the half with 15 points and five rebounds, while Luebbe followed with nine points and three rebounds.
The Lady Tigers extended their lead to 35 points with a three-point basket delivered by Maddy Boyle. Campbellsville moved the ball around to create space for open shots. The Lady Tigers tallied 22 assists, allowing Courtney Pritchett to punch in 12 points from her four threes. Campbellsville held the Firehawks from scoring much in the third quarter as they accumulated 14 points compared to the Lady Tigers' 30 points.
Campbellsville increased the UT Southern discrepancy to 50 points in the final quarter. Shelbie Beatty came off the bench to fire in a jumper and a three-pointer. Moments later, Paige Serafini collected a shot from the arc. Campbellsville issued 53 of their points from the bench. The contest completed with the Lady Tigers winning 94-49.
Campbellsville worked the ball around to allow multiple players to score in the double digits. The Lady Tigers collected 30 assists compared to UT Southern's eight. Sutton tied her career high with 20 points while she tallied six rebounds. Luebbe finished with 13 points and six rebounds, and Pritchett finalized 12 points and eight rebounds. The Lady Tigers defended their court with intensity as the Firehawks amassed 29.7% in field goals while Campbellsville cultivated 47.8%.
Campbellsville will travel to Wilberforce University (Ohio) on Thursday, January 26th. This Mid-South Conference battle will begin at 5:30 p.m. ET, with the men's game to follow.
