MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The #5 Campbellsville University Lady Tigers traveled to McKenzie on Thursday night for a high-stakes Mid-South Conference battle against the #3 Bethel University Wildcats. In a game defined by defensive intensity, Campbellsville redeemed their overtime loss to Bethel earlier this season, seizing control in the first quarter and holding the lead for nearly 90% of the contest to secure a crucial 63-54 road victory.
- Dea Bradley led the offensive charge, pouring in a game-high 21 points on 4-of-6 shooting from three-point range while dishing out three assists.
- Graduate student Whitney Hay was a force in the paint, recording 17 points and tying for the team lead with seven rebounds.
- Hallie Allen anchored the defensive effort with a game-high four steals to go along with five points.
- Lainey Johnson provided a spark off the bench with nine points and seven rebounds, helping the Lady Tigers control the glass.
- Campbellsville dominated the "hustle stats," outperforming Bethel in bench points (17-4), points off turnovers (21-8), and steals (9-5).
- The Lady Tigers were clutch from the charity stripe, shooting 86.4% (19-of-22) compared to Bethel's 68.4% (13-of-19).
- The Lady Tigers return to action on Saturday, February 14, traveling to Henderson, Tennessee, to battle the #2 Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions at 1 p.m. ET.
The contest began as a defensive slugfest, with both teams struggling to find an offensive rhythm in the opening minutes. Bethel struck first from beyond the arc to take an early lead, but the Lady Tigers responded with suffocating pressure.
Dea Bradley and
Whitney Hay powered the offense, pushing through Bethel's resistance to spark a run. A Bradley layup at the 4:21 mark gave Campbellsville an 8-7 advantage—a lead they would not relinquish for the remainder of the night. The Lady Tigers closed the quarter on a 12-2 run to take a 16-9 lead after one.
Campbellsville's momentum strengthened in the second quarter, fueled by the defensive maneuvers of
Abby Gilbert and the rebounding of
Bella Stiles. The Lady Tiger bench proved vital, with
Lainey Johnson entering the game to contribute timely buckets and rebounds. While Bethel's Micah Hart and Mikee Buchanan worked to chip away at the deficit, scoring consecutive baskets to keep the Wildcats within striking distance, Campbellsville maintained their composure to take a 32-23 lead into the halftime break.
In the second half, the game became a battle of attrition. Neither team could establish a dominant run, as the margin hovered around double digits. Campbellsville's offensive execution preserved their cushion, capitalizing on second-chance opportunities and Bethel turnovers. The Lady Tigers extended their lead to as many as 13 points in the third quarter before Bethel trimmed the gap to 51-42 heading into the last ten minutes.
The fourth quarter was a grind, with both teams fighting through shooting slumps and physical defense. Hay and
Hallie Allen were pivotal in weathering the storm, scoring key baskets from both long and short range to repel Bethel's comeback attempts. The Lady Wildcats managed a few late field goals, but they could not overcome Campbellsville's efficient free-throw shooting down the stretch. The Lady Tigers closed out the 63-54 victory, cementing a signature win for their resume.
