LEBANON, Tenn. – The #3 Lady Tigers continued Mid-South Conference play against the (RV) Cumberland University Phoenix on Saturday. After a high-effort, high-intensity stalemate for most of the contest, Campbellsville closed the game with a much-needed victory, 67-58.  

The opening minutes of the game saw inefficient offensive action from both teams, as neither scored from the field until halfway through the first quarter. Whitney Hay sank the first bucket of the game in the paint assisted by Tyra Flowers. The Lady Tigers got ahead from the charity stripe, benefiting from the Phoenix's fouls to rack up easy points. Cumberland got off of zero points from beyond the arc, while Campbellsville reached double digits on the scoreboard. Hallie Allen and Paige Serafini's jumpers closed the quarter with the Lady Tigers ahead, 18-11. 

Much like the first, the beginning minutes of the second quarter did not see a lot of successful offensive action as the first points scored in the period came from the Phoenix at the free-throw line nearly two minutes in. Talynne Shearer brought Campbellsville to 20 with her layup (the period's first made field goal) with seven minutes remaining before halftime. Cumberland came within a couple of points from the Lady Tigers as the clock expired, but Campbellsville stuck ahead behind their stalwart defense, holding Cumberland to 36.4 % shooting. The Phoenix consistently got to the line and forced eight Lady Tiger turnovers though, closing the half with a tight score, 33-31, for Campbellsville. 

Flowers and Hay came into the second half with pointed action in the paint, widening the advantage by getting easy looks near the basket. Both teams sustained their defensive intensity, keeping the tension on the court palpable. However, the Phoenix struggled to score again, increasing their deficit despite still forcing handfuls of Campbellsville turnovers. The Lady Tigers did not allow Cumberland to come closer than five points on the back of their crisp passing and quality looks. Going into the final quarter, Campbellsville was leading, 50-45. 

Into the fourth quarter, the Lady Tigers struggled with multiple missed shots in the paint to open the final ten minutes. Cumberland came within one possession from Campbellsville's advantage, but Serafini struck from deep, squashing the Phoenix's chances. The Lady Tigers' consistent steals preserved their control over the ball throughout the fourth quarter. Campbellsville's maintained offensive pressure resulted in 12 trips to the free-throw line, capitalizing on the opportunity to shut the door on any comeback attempt. The Lady Tigers closed the game with a victory, 67-58.   

The Lady Tigers will be back in action, hosting the Bethel University Wildcats on Thursday, February 13th, beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET.

• Five Lady Tigers reached double digits throughout today's game: Serafini with 18 points, Hay with 17, and Shearer, Flowers, and Bradley with ten each. Flowers also led with seven rebounds, Serafini with four steals, and Hay with seven field goals.  
• Campbellsville notably surpassed Cumberland in these difference-making categories: offensive rebounds (10-7), defensive rebounds (21-14), and points off turnovers (21-17).  
• Today's win marks the Lady Tigers' 25th consecutive victory against the Phoenix; Campbellsville has not lost a game against Cumberland since 2013.