CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – The #3 Campbellsville University Lady Tigers opened Mid-South Conference play in dominant fashion on Thursday evening, stifling rival (RV) Lindsey Wilson College 83-53 at the Powell Athletic Center. Fueled by a blistering second quarter and a suffocating defensive effort that forced five steals from
Whitney Hay, the Lady Tigers improved to 16-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
- Dea Bradley led a balanced scoring attack with a game-high 16 points on efficient 6-of-8 shooting, including a perfect 3-of-3 from the charity stripe.
- Whitney Hay was a force on both ends of the floor, tallying 15 points, three assists, and a game-high five steals to disrupt the Blue Raiders' offense.
- Paige Serafini provided a spark off the bench, draining four three-pointers on her way to 14 points.
- Campbellsville's bench depth was a deciding factor, as the Lady Tiger reserves outscored Lindsey Wilson's bench 41-21.
- The Lady Tigers controlled the glass and the interior, winning the rebounding battle 36-22 and holding a 38-26 advantage in points in the paint.
- Campbellsville's defense held the Blue Raiders to just 31.6% shooting from the field and a frigid 14.3% from three-point range.
The rivalry matchup began as a defensive slugfest, with Lindsey Wilson striking first with a jumper by Jarie Thomas. Campbellsville responded quickly with
Tyra Flowers connecting on a jumper assisted by
Hallie Allen to knot the score. The first quarter remained tight, featuring two ties and a physical battle in the paint. However,
Whitney Hay began to assert herself midway through the period, scoring consecutive baskets to spark the offense. Late in the quarter,
Dea Bradley converted an old-fashioned three-point play, and the Lady Tigers closed the frame on a 6-0 run to take a 19-13 lead.
The second quarter proved to be the turning point. Campbellsville exploded for 29 points in the period, shooting a scorching 70.6% from the field. The Lady Tigers' defense turned into offense, with Hay picking off multiple passes and converting them into transition layups.
Paige Serafini caught fire from the perimeter, knocking down back-to-back three-pointers off assists from
Lainey Johnson to stretch the lead. A steal by Hay led to another layup, and Serafini capped the half with a buzzer-beating three-pointer, sending Campbellsville into the locker room with a commanding 48-26 advantage.
The Lady Tigers maintained their intensity coming out of the halftime break. Despite Lindsey Wilson opening the third quarter with a three-pointer, Campbellsville responded with a methodical attack. Hay and Bradley continued to find the bottom of the net, while the defense held the Blue Raiders to just 28.6% shooting in the period.
Abby Gilbert made her presence felt in the paint with strong rebounding and inside scoring. Johnson connected from deep late in the quarter, and a late layup by
Bella Stiles pushed the lead to 34 points, 70-36, heading into the final frame.
With the game well in hand, the Campbellsville bench closed out the contest in the fourth.
Jordan Collom connected from long range, and
Ella House added a jumper down the stretch. Stiles and
Lainey Johnson helped manage the clock while continuing to attack the glass. The Lady Tigers cruised to the final buzzer, securing an 83-53 victory to start their Mid-South Conference campaign on a high note.
