LEBANON, Tenn. — The #3 Lady Tigers continued their away Mid-South Conference play down in Tennessee Saturday to battle the Cumberland University Phoenix. With four players in double-digit scoring shooting an electric 69% from the field, Campbellsville's offensive was too much for Cumberland, 88-75.
The Lady Tigers racked up seven points in the opening minutes of the first quarter, leaving the Phoenix trailing with none of their own. Cumberland then caught up with Campbellsville, stealing the lead. However,
Kayla Luebbe came off the bench with a layup, regaining control for the Lady Tigers. A 15-point run from Campbellsville propelled them forward and the Lady Tigers closed the opening quarter of the game ahead of the Phoenix, 24-12.
Both teams traded baskets within the first three minutes of the second quarter.
Lauren Lee's defensive play (rebounds and a block) as well as Cumberland's steals halted scoring plays from each team.
Whitney Hay entered the contest collecting free-throws and jumpers for the Lady Tigers, aided by
Tyra Flowers' first assist. At the end of the first half, Campbellsville held on to the lead, 42-35.
Lee,
Maddy Boyle, and
Courtney Pritchett kicked off the second half with bucket after bucket for the Lady Tigers. Campbellsville's defense prevented the Phoenix from landing any baskets of their own, most significantly Pritchett's first block of the game and Lee's fifth defensive rebound.
Bailey Pedigo consistently handled the ball with poise down the court for her fellow Lady Tigers, assisting Boyle and Pritchett's baskets.
Kaitlynn Wilks went two-for-two at the charity stripe in her chances too, bringing Campbellsville to a 20-point advantage over Cumberland. The Lady Tigers' offense could not be stopped in the period, going 11-12 (91.7%) from the floor. Entering the final ten minutes of play, the Phoenix trailed the Lady Tigers, 69-50.
The fourth quarter was physical, with only one basket from each team. Both Campbellsville and Cumberland stood at the free-throw line, racking up a few more points in their favor in the opening minutes of play. In the period, the two teams shot a combined 31 free throws. The Phoenix were first to break the scoring halt with a bucket halfway through the final quarter.
Sarah Sutton came off the bench retaliating with her first jumper of the game. Campbellsville struggled with turnovers in the quarter, suffering ten of their 25 in the closing minutes. Regardless, the Lady Tigers closed the contest with a victory, 88-75.
When all was said and done, Campbellsville surpassed Cumberland in multiple aspects of the game, maintaining a resilient defense with 23 defensive rebounds to their 11 and enabling a well-rounded lineup with 41 bench points to their 25. Four players reached double digits during the game, Boyle with 14 points, Lee and Luebbe with 13 each, and Pedigo with 11.
The Lady Tigers will be back home hosting the Bethel University Wildcats on Thursday, January 18th beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET.
