SIOUX CITY, Iowa. – On Friday, in a highly anticipated match during the NAIA Tournament Round of 16, the #1 Lady Tigers of Campbellsville University faced a tough opponent in the #5 Governors State University Jaguars. Unfortunately for the Lady Tigers, their usually dependable offense struggled against the Jaguars' tenacious defense, leading to their defeat, 59-52.
The contest began with Governors State surging ahead with an early 5-0 lead. Campbellsville's
Whitney Hay quickly responded, scoring five straight points, including a crucial three-pointer, which brought the Lady Tigers back into contention. The lead changed hands multiple times in the first quarter, and with contributions from
Paige Serafini and
Lauren Lee, Campbellsville managed to finish the period slightly ahead, 15-14.
The second quarter featured tight defense and several mini-runs from both teams.
Tyra Flowers opened the scoring for Campbellsville with a layup, but Governors State answered immediately with another three-ball, tying the game once.
Talynne Shearer and Hay made essential plays in the paint, allowing Campbellsville to regain the lead briefly.
Hallie Allen also provided an offensive boost off the bench with her jump shot. Yet, the Jaguars displayed resilience, tying the score again. In a dramatic finish to the first half, Governors State capitalized on a steal, making a layup to seize a narrow 29-27 lead as the teams headed to the locker room.
Hay opened the third quarter with an essential jumper, again leveling the score. The tension increased as both teams fiercely contested each possession, exchanging leads throughout the quarter. In the final minute, Governors State executed a crucial offensive surge, highlighted by a pivotal three, giving the Jaguars their largest game lead at that point, 43-39.
Entering the fourth quarter, Campbellsville faced challenges as they struggled to score for the first four minutes. In contrast, Governors State took advantage of their offensive opportunities, extending their lead with another shot from deep. Yet, with time running out, Campbellsville made a final push. Serafini and Lee sparked a comeback with back-to-back three-pointers, narrowing the deficit and reigniting hope for the Lady Tigers. As the clock wound down, the game slowed from fouls and became a battle of nerves. Ultimately, Governors State secured their victory by sinking six consecutive free throws, resulting in a final score of 59-52 and ending Campbellsville's tournament journey.
- Despite the loss, several Lady Tigers delivered impressive performances. Whitney Hay led the team with 16 points, shooting 7-15 from the field. Lauren Lee also contributed significantly, scoring 14 points that included four crucial three-pointers while showcasing her versatility with four assists and a team-high five steals. Tyra Flowers and Whitney Hay were dominant on the boards, each grabbing eight rebounds. Paige Serafini played a key role, logging the most minutes for Campbellsville with 35.
- Campbellsville excelled in rebounding, outperforming Governors State in offensive rebounds (19-7), bench points (10-0), steals (18-9), and second-chance points (13-5). However, the Lady Tigers struggled with turnovers, committing 20 compared to the Jaguars' 15, and their three-point shooting accuracy was only 29.6% (8-27).
- This matchup marked the second meeting between the Lady Tigers and the Jaguars after Campbellsville won their first encounter during the 2024 NAIA Tournament's second round.
