CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – In a clash of NAIA heavyweights at the Powell Athletic Center, the #3 Campbellsville University Lady Tigers battled the #2 Bethel University Wildcats to a standstill through 40 minutes but ultimately fell short in overtime, dropping a 76-70 decision on Thursday evening. The loss moves Campbellsville to 16-2 on the season and 1-1 in Mid-South Conference play.
- Whitney Hay led the Lady Tigers offensively, pouring in 24 points on 10-of-20 shooting while grabbing five rebounds.
- Sophomore Dea Bradley showed relentless aggression attacking the rim, finishing with 20 points and going 14-of-18 from the free-throw line.
- Tyra Flowers anchored the defensive effort with a team-high nine rebounds and three steals while dishing out three assists.
- The game featured 12 ties and 10 lead changes, requiring an extra period after the teams were deadlocked at 63-63 at the end of regulation.
- Campbellsville's defense forced 21 Bethel turnovers and recorded 12 steals, converting those miscues into 22 points.
- The Lady Tigers return to action on Saturday, Jan. 17, hosting #5 Freed-Hardeman at 1 p.m. ET.
The Lady Tigers came out of the gate with high energy, feeding off the electric atmosphere inside the Powell Athletic Center.
Dea Bradley and
Whitney Hay sparked the offense early, capitalizing on Bethel turnovers. Campbellsville jumped out to an 11-5 lead midway through the first following free throws from Hay. The Lady Tiger defense held Bethel to just 35.3% shooting in the opening frame, and a late three-pointer from
Lainey Johnson helped Campbellsville take a 19-14 advantage into the second quarter.
The second quarter proved to be a defensive grind for the Lady Tigers. The offense struggled to find its rhythm, shooting just 20% from the floor in the period. Bethel capitalized on the cold spell, chipping away at the lead. A three-pointer by Bethel's Micah Hart in the closing seconds of the half gave the Wildcats a narrow 30-28 lead heading into the locker room, as Campbellsville managed just nine points in the frame.
Coming out of the break, the Lady Tigers responded with renewed defensive intensity.
Talynne Shearer provided a spark, converting layups in transition and grabbing key rebounds. The defense locked down, holding Bethel to just nine points in the third quarter on 18.8% shooting. A jumper by Hay and free throws from
Abby Gilbert helped Campbellsville reclaim the momentum, and the Lady Tigers took a 44-39 lead heading into the final ten minutes of regulation.
The fourth quarter was a heavyweight bout, with both teams trading blows. Bethel's Mikee Buchanan connected from deep to cut into the lead, but Hay answered with clutch baskets in the paint. With under two minutes to play and Campbellsville trailing by one, Shearer sank two clutch free throws to retake the lead, 61-58. However, Bethel responded at the charity stripe to knot the game. With the score tied at 63-63, the Lady Tigers had one final look, but Bradley's three-point attempt at the buzzer wouldn't fall, sending the game to overtime.
In the extra period, the shots simply wouldn't fall for the Lady Tigers. Campbellsville went 2-of-7 from the field in overtime, while Bethel's Micah Hart took over, scoring eight points in the period. Despite a late layup from Hay and free throws from Bradley, the Wildcats converted their free throws down the stretch to secure the 76-70 victory.
