CHANDLER, Az.- The #3 Lady Tigers battled the (RV) Montana Tech University Diggers on their first day in the Grand Canyon State for the Chandler-Gilbert Community College Cactus Classic. After a slow start to the match-up, the Lady Tigers clawed their way up the lead as Campbellsville's dominant control over the ball resulted in more than triple the steals as Montana Tech, strongly capitalizing off the Diggers' turnovers, taking the victory, 51-40.
The Diggers were first on the scoreboard with a three-point basket in the opening seconds of the contest. Lauren Lee quickly retaliated with a layup assisted by Paige Serafini. As the first quarter unfolded, both teams struggled to convert with multiple missed shots and turnovers, keeping the quarter a low-scoring battle. Montana Tech closed the first on the lead with a tight gap in the score, 11-8.
While the Diggers benefited from their rebounding coming into the second half, the Lady Tigers' defense prevented them from taking control of the contest. With missed layups and jumpers, Montana Tech was unable to capitalize offensively. Tyra Flowers' steals and Lee's sharp shots from the free-throw line brought Campbellsville to the lead. However, the game remained close throughout the second quarter as the Lady Tigers struggled in the paint, and the Diggers continued to turnover the ball. At the end of the first half, Campbellsville led, 18-17.
Lee and Whitney Hay opened the second half with avid layups to propel the Lady Tigers upward on the advantage. The Diggers retaliated, but Talynne Shearer gained momentum for Campbellsville, and Montana Tech was unable to catch up. Lee's shots at the charity stripe continued to aid the Lady Tigers in preserving their upper hand. As the third quarter's final minutes approached, there was a back-and-forth battle between the teams, continuing to increase the energy on the court. Campbellsville entered the final quarter with a five-point advantage, 35-30.
Hallie Allen came off the bench with a layup to extend the Lady Tigers' lead. Although the Diggers maintained strong rebounding efforts, they struggled to convert several layups and jumpers throughout the development of the quarter. Flowers' steals remained one of Campbellsville's biggest strengths, contributing to the Lady Tigers' avid defense. Montana Tech closed the gap on the scoreboard from beyond the arc, but Campbellsville's short-range shots promptly widened their advantage to avoid the Diggers from getting any closer to stealing the lead. The Lady Tigers closed the contest with their largest lead of the game, 51-40.
The Lady Tigers will be back in action on their second day in Chandler, Arizona, battling the Carroll College Fighting Saints tomorrow, Thursday, December 19th, beginning at 2 p.m. ET.
- Campbellsville surpassed Montana Tech in a couple of statistical categories of the game: free throw percentage (80.0%-37.5%), steals (10-3), points off turnovers (17-10), and points in the paint (30-18).
- Lee led the Lady Tigers with 19 points and Flowers with five steals and ten rebounds.
- Tonight's game has been the lowest scoring half thus far this season at 18-17. It has also been the lowest-scoring quarter yet, with only eight points on the scoreboard after the first.
- Campbellsville had only ever battled Montana Tech once in the past, during the 2005 season, resulting in a Lady Tiger loss 75-73. Today's victory is Campbellsville's first win against the Diggers, 51-40.
