Pikeville, KY – After a game where UC was hot from all aspects on the floor, the Patriot Women's Basketball team would have to use their free throw shooting along with their ability to outrebound the opposition to hold on for an 87-85 win over the Conquistadors of Florida National University. The win improves UC to 2-0 overall on the year.
It was a great start for the Patriots as UC began the game on a 9-2 run over the first three minutes. Cumberlands would continue to hammer away in the opening quarter as they would extend the lead to 13 at 22-9, their largest lead of the half. The Patriots held a 24-13 lead after the first quarter.
The Patriots would find themselves in a bit of a slump in the second quarter. Although they were able to hold on to their lead, a 0-8 effort from beyond the arc would plague UC as FNU shot 53% from the field and 3-4 from three to cut the lead down to two at one point in the frame. Cumberlands would hold a 43-38 lead at the break.
The third quarter saw UC push their lead back out eight at 54-46 before the Conquistadors went on a 9-2 run over a two and a half minute span. The Patriots' lead was cut to 56-55 before Cumberlands outscored FNU 14-5 in the final four minute to end the quarter with a 70-60 lead.
UC continued their run with four straight points in the fourth to go up 74-60, their largest lead of the game. After the Patriots slowed a short FNU run, the Conquistadors went on a 12-4 run to cut the lead to 82-80 with just over a minute to play. Cumberlands would have to utilize solid defense coupled with fantastic free throw shooting in the quarter to hold off FNU with a final score of 87-85.
Four Patriots would score double figures in the game led by
Shayla Simpson with 19 points, nine rebounds, two blocks, two assists, and a steal. The trio of
Callia Cropp,
Jasmine Rhodes, and
Kayla Bruner all chipped in 18 points. Rhodes completed her double-double with 11 rebounds as well as four assists. Bruner scored 14 of her 18 in the second half of play.
Cumberlands shot 42.4% from the field in the win but just 2-22 from deep. The Patriots used solid shooting from the charity stripe to aid in the victory, going 29-41 from the line (70.7%). The Conquistadors shot 51.6% from the field and 6-11 from three point range, but went just 15-26 from the free throw line. UC outrebounded FNU 47-35 while forcing 18 turnovers in the game.
The Patriots open their home schedule on Thursday, November 1
st as they host West Virginia Tech University for a non-conference matchup. The Patriots lost their last contest against the Golden Bears 81-74 in Montgomery last December. Tip-off is set for 6 pm with live video coverage available
here on the UC Sports Network.
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