HENDERSON, Tenn.- The #3 Lady Tigers took the road to battle the #7 Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions on Thursday night. Campbellsville tied the best start in program history with an 18-0 winning streak as they defeated Freed-Hardeman, 71-52.
The Lady Tigers opened the game holding an early edge on the game. Whitney Hay's jumpers and Paige Serafini's layups quickly gave Campbellsville the lead, as the Lady Lions still struggled to score. Freed-Hardeman scored their first bucket from beyond the arc, attempting to narrow the gap. However, Serafini did not falter at the sight of push back, responding with three-pointers of her own, smoothly assisted by Lauren Lee. The Lady Lions elevated their action on the paint, but Tyra Flowers' steadfast rebounds preserved the Lady Tigers' control over the ball. Freed-Hardeman's turnovers fueled Lee to collect steal after steal, igniting Campbellsville's momentum. At the end of the first quarter, the Lady Tigers led, 19-11.
The Lady Lions came into the second quarter battling for the lead with relentless offensive rebounds, but their shots at the score fell short. Campbellsville capitalized off Freed-Hardeman's misses, as Flowers and Lee led the offense to collect some key baskets. The Lady Lions connected for a three-pointer, but the Lady Tigers' consistent scoring throughout the quarter counteracted their efforts to steal the advantage. As the energy on the court only heightened, both teams brought heavy foul-play, bringing them both to the charity stripe on multiple occasions. Campbellsville remained ahead at the end of the first half, 42-28.
Maddie Nalley came off the bench with key rebounds to help her teammates score. Lee and Serafini remained strong forces for the Lady Tigers, avidly scoring from beyond the arc. Freed-Hardeman attempted to catch up, but their turnovers and missed baskets remained their demise. Hay only elevated her offensive strikes, closing the third quarter with Campbellsville still leading, 54-28.
From the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, the Lady Tigers held off the Lady Lions' efforts. Bella Stiles and Paige Evans came into the game, contributing key steals to bring Lee to score a crucial three-point bucket. Freed-Hardeman attempted to cut their deficit with sharp buckets, but Campbellsville maintained a firm grasp over the game. Although the Lady Lions faced a few opportunities at the free-throw line to boost their offensive efforts, the Lady Tigers' timely scoring kept them ahead. By the final buzzer, Campbellsville secured a 71-52 victory.
The Lady Tigers will travel to McKenzie, Tennessee, to battle the #9 Bethel University Wildcats on Saturday, January 25th, beginning at 1 p.m. ET.
- Campbellsville surpassed Freed-Hardeman in multiple statistical categories of the contest: field goal percentage (48.0%-34.7%), three-point percentage (57.1%-43.8%), points off turnovers (22-6), and points in the paint (22-18).
- Five Lady Tigers reached double digits throughout tonight's game: Lee with 19 points, Flowers with 13, Hay with 12, and Dea Bradley and Serafini with 11 each. Nalley and Hay led with five rebounds each, and Lee with six field goals, five assists, and four steals.
- Campbellsville's history against Freed-Hardeman stretches back to 1993; after tonight's win, the Lady Tigers have secured 15 wins and only five losses against the Lady Tigers since then.
- Tonight's win extended the Lady Tigers' season streak to 18-0, tying the best start in program history.
