Williamsburg, KY – After another full week off from games, the UC Women's Basketball team returned to action in the O. Wayne Rollins Center to face the Falcons of Simmons College. Vilma Covane put together an amazing effort in the game for the Patriots, pounding the glass and tallying the putbacks as UC came away with the 73-43 victory, moving them to 8-1 overall on the year.
The Patriots immediately opened the game on a 10-2 run in the first three minutes of play. After back-to-back buckets by Simmons to cut the lead to 10-7, UC would close the quarter on a 10-0 run in the final four minutes to lead 20-7 after one. The Falcons would keep the second quarter closer than the first, but the Patriots continued to pound the glass for rebounds and second chance opportunities that led them to a 40-21 lead at halftime.
The third quarter was much like the second as Simmons did everything they could to keep it close, but the Patriots would continue to force turnovers and put the ball in the hands of their posts down low for the easy baskets as Cumberlands led 59-35 with ten minutes to play. In the fourth, the Patriots' defense would continue its stifling effort, holding the Falcons to just eight points in the frame. The lead would eventually extend to 35 before capturing the 30 point win over Simmons at 73-43.
Vilma Covane had a stellar game, garnering career highs in her double-double with 24 points and 19 rebounds to go with three steals, three assists, and a block. Eleven of her 19 rebounds came on the offensive side of the floor. Sister Carla Covane went perfect from the floor in the game (6-6) with 14 points and nine rebounds. Abby Estes punched in a trifecta of three pointers to give her nine points on the afternoon.
The Patriots shot 39.5% from the floor in the game, but it was the rebounding that sent them over the top with 53 total rebounds, 25 coming off the offensive glass, compared to Simmons' 22 rebounds in total. UC scored 38 points in the paint including 25 second chance points and 24 points off of 26 Falcons' turnovers.
Simmons' Alexis Smith led her teammates on the day with 27 points with seven rebounds.
UC now has another long wait before hosting their first Mid-South opponent Thomas More on Tuesday, December 3rd. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 PM.
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