Williamsburg, KY – The UC Women's Basketball team hosted their home opener on Thursday night against the Golden Bears of West Virginia Tech. The Patriots took the lead early and never looked back as they would defeat the Golden Bears 82-68. The win pushes the Patriots to 3-0 on the year.
 
The opening quarter was a slow start for both teams. Once getting on the board, Cumberlands would push out quickly with an 8-2 run at the first media timeout. WVT would get the game back within two at 8-6, but UC would continue to trade baskets with the Bears to hold a 13-8 lead after one. Trading baskets to start the second quarter, UC held a 19-13 lead three minutes in. From there, Cumberlands would push the lead to 12 momentarily before the Golden Bears pushed back and got the game within six at the break at 29-23.
 
Both teams would have their most prolific quarter in the third. Cumberlands would extend the lead back to 11 at 47-36 with four minutes left in the quarter. The Golden Bears would trim off a bit of the margin as the Patriots led 58-49 entering the fourth. UC would begin the fourth on a 14-6 run to widen the gap at 72-55. Pushing the lead to 18 late in the fourth, WVT would cut into the lead late but not enough as UC held on for another win to start the year.
 
Callia Cropp would have a career night for the Patriots as she netted a game high 22 points on 8-10 shooting from the field along with a career high six rebounds to go with her five assists. Shayla Simpson tied her career high with 21 points to go with seven rebounds, two assists, a pair of blocks, and a steal. Jasmine Rhodes had her second consecutive double-double with ten points and ten rebounds.
 
UC shot 50% from the floor in the game while shooting 70.9% (22-31) in the second half of play. Cumberlands also outrebounded West Virginia Tech 48-32 while doubling them over in points in the paint with 52 to WVT's 26 down low. It is the ninth straight home opener UC has won in the O. Wayne Rollins Center. Cumberlands has now started the season scoring 80+ points in all three games, which surpasses last year's total of two games with 80+ points.
 
The Patriots return to action on Saturday, November 3^rd on the road as they travel to take on the Cavaliers of Montreat College. Tip-off is set for 12 pm. Live video and stats provided by Montreat are available by clicking here.
 
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