BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The #5-seed Tigers met their Highway 55 rival #4-seed Lindsey Wilson College in the first round of the Mid-South Conference Tournament Saturday. After leading the game nearly 90% of the contest and getting stellar play from their wings, the Tigers won 86-79.
The game began with a slow start, with only one layup from Lindsey Wilson in the opening minutes of play. Cobe Penny scored the first couple of points for Campbellsville from the charity stripe, quickly evening the game's pace. TyShay Epps came off the bench with a three-point bucket, propelling the Tigers forward to grab an early hold on the lead. The Blue Raiders attempted to strike back, but Chandler Clements and Darius Harding only increased their offensive efforts to keep racking up buckets for Campbellsville. Jace Wallace collected assist after assist, agilely maneuvering the ball down the court for his fellow Tigers. Campbellsville held the advantage at the end of the first half, 39-25.
The Tigers significantly outperformed the Blue Raiders throughout the first half, most significantly with their rebounds and from beyond the arch. Campbellsville went 42.9% from the three-point line and collected 21 rebounds compared to Lindsey Wilson's 12.5% and 13 rebounds, respectively.
In the opening seconds of the second half, Penny deftly maneuvered a tip-in for the Tigers. The Blue Raiders boosted their offense, coming near Campbellsville's lead and racking up jumpers in their favor. The Tigers capitalized off several opportunities at the free-throw line with points from Wallace, Harding, and Penny. The game came to a scoring halt, with both teams collecting steals and rebounds but unable to connect. Lindsey Wilson went within a few points from the advantage, but Tyrelle Hunt came on the court and widened Campbellsville's upper hand. As the final second of the game came close, the tension on the court continued to increase, both teams battling for the victory. However, the Tigers defeated the Blue Raiders, 86-79.
At the end of the contest, Campbellsville continued to capitalize off their three-pointers, going 6-of-14 (42.9%) from beyond the arch compared to Lindsey Wilson's 3-of-14 (21.4%). Three Tigers reached double digits: Wallace and Harding with 22 points each, and Penny with 17. Additionally, Epps led with six rebounds and Wallace with seven assists.
The Tigers will be back in action going against the #1-seed Freed-Hardeman University Lions in the MSC Tournament semifinal, Sunday, March 6th, beginning at 6 p.m. ET.
