CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – The #3 Campbellsville University women's basketball team took on Wilberforce University on Saturday, January 7th. Coming off of a loss, the Lady Tigers added another win as they were disruptive on defense and defeated the Bulldogs 83-45.
Campbellsville started strong with a bucket from Kaitlynn Wilks and a three-point basket from Courtney Pritchett. Bailey Pedigo was awarded two shots at the free-throw line to put the Lady Tigers ahead by seven points. The Bulldogs got their first basket in the third minute of play grabbing an offensive rebound for a layup. Campbellsville broke into a double-digit lead as Wilks connected on a layup under the basket. Wilberforce did not let the Lady Tigers bust open a lead too wide as they chipped away with a basket of their own. Campbellsville continued to appear at the stripe to increase their lead over the Bulldogs.
To begin the second quarter, the Bulldogs had only mustered four out of fourteen field goal attempts. The Lady Tigers kept a significant lead, but Wilberforce continued to try to find their way toward the basket. Campbellsville busted open a 21-point lead as Elizabeth Bertram knocked down a three-point basket. The Lady Tigers had knocked down five three-pointers, whereas Wilberforce had yet to hit a shot from deep to aid their deficit. By the end of the half, Campbellsville led 38-18 over the Bulldogs.
The Lady Tigers had the upper hand for the entirety of the first half. There was no prominent leading scorer as Campbellsville spread the ball around to each player. Maddy Boyle had collected seven points, and Bertram followed with six. Lauren Lee had accumulated six of the team's ten assists. The Lady Tigers forced the Bulldogs into nine turnovers. Campbellsville had cultivated these turnovers into 19 of their points.
In the third quarter, Wilberforce put together a seven-point run within the first two minutes of play. However, Campbellsville shut down the Bulldogs, leaving them scoreless for the next four minutes. Sarah Sutton's shot from distance pushed Campbellsville to a 30-point lead. Sutton returned to the arc twice more to put away two more three-point baskets.
In the final quarter, Campbellsville continued to outscore the Bulldogs. Boyle's shots from the free throw line put the Lady Tigers ahead by 40 points. Briante Gowdy showed vigilance as she added a couple of buckets to Campbellsville's lead. Nearing the end of the competition, Wilberforce opted for a pressure defense to slow Campbellsville. The Lady Tigers had collected 41 points from the Bulldog's 30 turnovers. Wilberforce put together eight consecutive points to decrease their shortfall, but it was for nought as the Lady Tigers put the Bulldogs away.
Three-point baskets aided Campbellsville's victory as they collected 39.1% in the area compared to Wilberforce's 9.1%, with only a single make. Boyle led her team with 18 points, and Sutton followed with 14 points. Wilks amassed 12 points and five rebounds.
The Lady Tigers will travel south to (RV) Bethel University this Thursday, January 12th to combat the Wildcats. The Mid-South conference match-up begins at 6:30 p.m. ET.
