Lebanon, TN – It was a low scoring affair on Thursday night as the Patriots Women's Basketball team entered Dallas Floyd Gymnasium to take on the Phoenix of Cumberland University. All of UC's points came from its starting five, but they were not enough as CU would slip away late with the victory over the Patriots 42-39. The loss moves UC to 13-4 overall on the year and 2-2 in Mid-South Conference play.
 
The first quarter of play was a slow start for both teams as the game was tied at 5-5 with 4:01 remaining. Both teams were a combined 4-13 from the floor with four combined turnovers. The Patriots would pull ahead though and take a 10-7 lead into the second quarter. UC would then go quiet on the offensive end while the Phoenix would go on an 8-0 run to take a 15-10 lead at the media timeout in the second. After over a six-minute scoring drought, the Patriots would go on a quick 7-1 run to retake the lead at 17-16 with three minutes left in the half. In that final 180 seconds, CU would go on a 10-3 run to take a 26-20 lead over the Patriots at halftime.
 
In the third, UC did everything they could to cut into the Phoenix' lead and got it down to two at 31-29 with four minutes left in the quarter, but that was as close as they could get as they trailed 36-33 entering the final quarter of play. UC would hold Cumberland to just one point in the first 6:23 of the fourth, but would only muster six points of their own as they led 39-37 with 3:37 to play. The Phoenix would get their first field goal of the quarter with 2:39 to play, a three pointer, to retake the lead at 40-39. UC would go scoreless the remainder of the game while CU would add two free throws late to seal a 42-39 win over the Patriots.
 
Shayla Simpson would lead UC's scoring on the night, tabbing her first double-double of the season, with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and four steals. Cheyenne Madden added nine points and seven rebounds in the loss. The Patriots would shoot just 30.4% from the field (14-46) in the game while going 3-14 from deep.  UC would outrebound the Phoenix 40-26, but would turn the ball over 22 times compared to CU's 14 giveaways.
 
The Patriots now return home to the O. Wayne Rollins Center on Saturday, January 20^th for more MSC action as they host NAIA #8 ranked Lindsey Wilson College. Tip-off is set for 2 pm. Brandon Hensley will have the call on the UC Sports Network.
 
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