Marietta, GA – The UC Women's Basketball team finished out a long road week on Saturday as they opened Mid-South Conference play in Marietta at Life University. After a first half where both teams seemed to struggle offensively, an explosive third quarter by the Running Eagles would spell demise for the Patriots as Life would come away with a 79-65 win over Cumberlands. The loss sends UC's record to 12-4 on the year and 0-1 in MSC play.
 
The opening quarter saw both teams trade baskets for a majority of the frame. Life would go on an 8-2 run over a two-minute span late in the first as they would end the quarter leading 17-11. The Patriots would slow down the Running Eagles in the second quarter as the Patriots would steadily work their way back into the game, trailing by just one at the break with the score 23-22 Life.
 
The third quarter was prolific for both teams, but especially so for the Running Eagles. Four minutes into the period, Life would lead 35-33, but an 9-0 run would send them out front 44-33, their largest lead of the contest to this point. Cumberlands would put in a three, but another big run from Life, this one 16-7, would have them out to a 17-point lead 60-43 with the final quarter to play. The Patriots would outscore the Eagles in the final frame, but not by enough as the Patriots would fall by 14 in the conference opener.
 
Leading the way scoring for Cumberlands was Shayla Simpson with 14 points to go with five rebounds and three assists. Megan Morton chipped in 13 points and three rebounds. Jasmine Rhodes tallied her fifth double-double on the year, UC's sixth overall, with ten points and 12 rebounds. The Patriots shot 40% from the floor in the game but committed a season-high 43 turnovers in the loss. Life went 46.5% from the field while scoring 43 points off UC's turnovers as well as 52 of their 79 points in the paint. Tierra Lindsey led all scorers with 17 to go with nine rebounds.
 
UC continues their trek on the road as they travel on Thursday, January 10^th to Portsmouth, Ohio to take on the Bears of Shawnee State University. Tip-off is slated for 6 pm.
 
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