CHANDLER, Az.- The #3 Lady Tigers battled the #21 Carroll College Saints on their second day in the Grand Canyon State for the Chandler-Gilbert Community College Cactus Classic. Enormously capitalizing off Carroll's turnovers, Campbellsville closed their week in Arizona with back-to-back victories, 59-50.
The Saints racked up a few defensive rebounds off missed layups by the Lady Tigers. However, Campbellsville quickly regained control over the ball as Lauren Lee elevated her offensive strikes in the paint. Carroll's turnovers quickly became their demise as the Lady Tigers collected steal after steal. At the end of the first quarter, Campbellsville led the game, 18-13.
In the opening of the second quarter, both teams struggled to gain momentum. However, Lee kept the Lady Tigers ahead by collecting defensive rebounds and converting layups. The Saints persistently attempted to catch up with Campbellsville from the free-throw line. Dea Bradley came off the bench, blocking Carroll's attempts at the basket, and Whitney Hay brought fast-paced attacks against the Saints. At the end of the first half, the Lady Tigers remained in the lead, 31-22.
Coming into the second half, both teams faced multiple missed opportunities. Carroll's defense, with key rebounds, caused Campbellsville to elevate their offensive efforts against the Saints. Tyra Flowers' layups prevented Carroll's retaliation from decreasing the gap on the scoreboard. Lee did not falter at the sight of push-back, scoring an avid three-point bucket to propel the Lady Tigers forward. Hallie Allen came into the game with multiple offensive rebounds, maintaining Campbellsville's control over the ball. Hay collected a few more points at the charity stripe in the closing minutes of the third. The Lady Tigers entered the final quarter with a staggering lead, 48-34.
The Saints came into the fourth quarter determined to close the gap in the game, boosting their efforts beyond the arc. Campbellsville did not allow Carroll to come close, as Flowers' layups counteracted their efforts. Only three minutes into the fourth, the Lady Tigers reached their largest lead of the game with a 15-point advantage over the Saints. Both teams' defensive intensity set the pace for the closing ten minutes of the contest. Allen and Lee only increased Campbellsville's momentum with crucial three-pointers. Although Carroll fought back with jumpers in the closing of the match, their turnovers and missed shots prevented them from stealing the upper hand. The Lady Tigers closed the game with another victory, 59-50.
The Lady Tigers will be back in action, traveling to Pikeville, Kentucky, for their last game of the year on Monday, December 30th, against the University of Pikeville Bears beginning at 2 p.m. ET.
- Campbellsville outperformed Carroll in multiple statistical categories of the game: three-point percentage (50.0%-37.5%), bench points (10-0), steals (10-8), and points off turnovers (20-8).
- Lee led the Lady Tigers with 20 points and three assists, and Flowers with eight rebounds.
- Today's game was Campbellsville's third game against Carroll; the Lady Tigers have never lost a game against the Saints, holding a three-game winning streak.
