CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – The #4 Campbellsville University Lady Tigers hosted the Cumberland University Phoenix on Saturday afternoon at the Powell Athletic Center. Fueled by a relentless effort on the offensive glass that resulted in a five-fold advantage in second-chance points, the Lady Tigers secured their second double-digit conference victory of the week, 74-64.
- Three Lady Tigers scored in double figures: Whitney Hay (20 points), Dea Bradley (14), and Paige Serafini (11).
- Hay was efficient from the floor, leading the team with 10 made field goals on 15 attempts while swiping three steals. Abby Gilbert anchored the paint with a game-high nine rebounds (five offensive) and three blocks, while Bradley dished out a game-high five assists.
- The Lady Tigers dominated the hustle stats, outperforming the Phoenix in offensive rebounds (15-4), assists (21-10), steals (16-8), and points in the paint (40-32).
- Campbellsville's control of the offensive boards proved critical, as they outscored Cumberland 10-2 in second-chance points.
- With the win, Campbellsville extended their streak against Cumberland to 28 consecutive victories, having not lost to the Phoenix since 2014.
- The Lady Tigers return to action on Thursday, February 12th, traveling to McKenzie, Tennessee, to take on the #3 Bethel University Lady Wildcats at 6:30 p.m. ET.
The contest began with an explosive 8-0 run by the Lady Tigers, fueled by jump shots from
Whitney Hay and free throws from
Tyra Flowers. The Phoenix finally got on the board with a layup midway through the quarter, but
Dea Bradley, Hay, and Flowers continued to apply pressure, propelling Campbellsville to a double-digit lead.
Paige Serafini provided an immediate spark off the bench, draining two three-pointers to stretch the advantage. Although Cumberland scored two layups in the final minute of the period, the Lady Tigers held a commanding 25-15 lead after ten minutes.
The second quarter turned into a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to find an offensive rhythm. Campbellsville managed just nine points in the frame, but their defense held firm, limiting the Phoenix to 11. Despite the scoring lull, both Serafini and Hay reached double-figure scoring totals before the break. Cumberland managed to chip away slightly at the deficit, but the Lady Tigers maintained control, heading into the locker room with a 34-26 halftime advantage.
Talynne Shearer and
Hallie Allen wasted no time in the second half, scoring their first points of the game within the opening minute of the third quarter to re-establish momentum. While Cumberland pushed back with short-range jumpers, Campbellsville's interior presence was impenetrable.
Abby Gilbert and
Lainey Johnson made key plays to preserve the lead, and a 6-0 run late in the period extended the margin to 16. However, the Phoenix capitalized on six consecutive free throws in the final two minutes to trim the deficit to 58-47 heading into the final stanza.
Cumberland opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer to cut the lead to single digits, but Allen immediately responded with a driving layup. The offensive intensity ramped up on both ends, with the teams trading baskets down the stretch.
Ella House contributed a clutch layup at the 4:42 mark to keep the Phoenix at bay. Although Cumberland put together a 6-0 run in the final minutes, the deficit was too large to overcome, and the Lady Tigers closed out the 74-64 victory.
