Lebanon, TN – Patriots women's basketball began its 2020 conference run with a 72-61 victory over Cumberland University on Thursday night. Silvia Veloso posted a season-high 22 points to lead the Patriots to their fifth straight win on the season as UC's record improves to 14-2 and 2-1 in Mid-South Conference play.

Vilma Covane notched her fourth double-double of the season against the Phoenix with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Hannah Lawson contributed 11 points as well.

The opening minutes of the first quarter was a defensive battle, as both teams were held scoreless through the 7:30 mark. The Phoenix would strike first on a jumper before UC answered with an Abbi Douglas three pointer. With five minutes to go, Hannah Lawson converted a three that sparked a 12-0 run that lasted into the final minute of the quarter. The Patriots headed into the second period with a 21-13 lead.

Vilma Covane and Carla Covane took to the paint immediately in the second period as both managed a field goal in the first minute to give the Patriots a nine-point lead. With six minutes to go, Cumberland got hot offensively, embarking on a 15-0 run that spanned almost four minutes giving the Phoenix a 31-27 lead. In the final minute, the Patriots capitalized on free throws from Kayla Bruner and Vilma Covane to make it a one-point ballgame. Addison Wilson splashed the go-ahead three pointer with 0:09 seconds left in the half to put the Patriots up 33-31 heading into the break.

Cumberland University made two straight field goals to open the third quarter to take a 35-33 lead at the 8:55 mark. A minute later, the Phoenix hit three straight shots on a 6-1 run that gave them a 41-36 lead. A three followed by a layup from Hannah Lawson with 5:06 remaining shifted momentum back to the Patriots, tying the game at 41. Shots from Reagan Begole, Veloso, and Lawson over the next three minutes composed a 15-2 run from the Patriots that gave them a 51-43 lead going into the final minute of the period. The Patriots converted on two free throws by way of Vilma Covane before ending the third with a 53-47 lead.

The Phoenix made two straight jumpers to open the final quarter, bringing the Patriots lead to four. Silvia Veloso converted on a layup followed by two free throws at the 7:30 mark that stretched the Patriots lead to 57-51. With 4:54 remaining, Cumberland began a 4-0 run over the next two minutes to come within one. From 2:30 on, UC went on a 7-0 run via shots from Lawson and Veloso, thwarting the Phoenix comeback effort to win 72-61.

As a team the Patriots went 26-59 for 44.1% from the field while shooting an impressive 53% from beyond the arc. UC dominated on the boards, outrebounding the Phoenix 51-25.

The Patriots return to action at home on Saturday, January 11^th as they take on the Running Eagles of Life University. Tip-off from Randy Vernon Court is slated for 2 pm with live stats available here and live video available here.

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