Williamsburg, KY – A big push in the fourth quarter would push the Patriots out to their largest lead of the game at 18 before finishing with a 69-59 victory over the Eagles of Midway University on Tuesday night. Free throws became pivotal in the contest for UC as they would go 17-25 from the charity stripe in a game where the Patriots never trailed. UC now sits at 2-1 overall on the season.
 
After trading points early, UC would get three free throws from Ashley Jackson and a three from Kayla Bruner to go ahead 9-3. Midway would then go on an 8-2 run to tie the game at 11. Callia Cropp would drain a three of her own to give UC a 14-13 lead entering the second quarter. The Patriots would show a push of their own, going on a 10-2 run in the first four minutes of the quarter to take a 24-15 lead. The Eagles would continue their scrappy play though as they would battle back to make it a 33-31 UC lead at the halftime break.
 
The third quarter would see much of the same from both teams. Although the Patriots would get the lead back out to seven, they would only hold a four point advantage at the end of the third by a score of 48-44. The final quarter though would prove to be the difference in the ballgame for the Patriots. UC would go on an 18-4 run over the first seven minutes of the fourth quarter to open up an 18 point lead over the Eagles at 66-48. Midway would attempt to rally late, but the Patriots would buckle down and end the game with a 10 point victory, earning their second win of the young season.
 
Cheyenne Madden would lead the way with her first double-double of the season, tallying 24 points and 13 rebounds. Point guard Callia Cropp would add 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists in the victory. Madison Meier pitched in six points and four boards while Kayla Bruner would mark five points to go along with her eight rebounds and five assists.
 
UC would shoot 40% from the floor in the contest while going 68% from the free throw line. The Eagles would struggle in the second half, seeing their shooting percentage fall to 35% including 30% from three and just 47% from the freebie line.
 
The Patriots return to action on Saturday, November 11^th as they host Webber International for a non-conference matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 pm.
 
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