Williamsburg, KY – Opening their 2020-21 season in dominating fashion, the Cumberlands women's basketball team crushed Asbury 95-67 at home on Thursday night. The Patriots handed the Eagles their first loss of the season and scored the most points in a season opener since their 2005 victory over Knoxville College, 106-39.
 
UC opened the first quarter looking sharp and well-rested from the off-season, going on a 17-point run in the first ten minutes of play. The Patriots locked down on defense, holding the Eagles to just 4-17 from the field in the first quarter. Cumberlands finished the first 15 minutes of play with a commanding 24-10 lead ahead of the Eagles.
 
Asbury seemed to find their offensive momentum as the second quarter opened, knocking down a three-pointer in the first minute of play. Not to be outscored, back-to-back buckets by Carla Covane kept the Patriots' definitive lead, 32-15, midway through the quarter. With just a few seconds remaining, Destiny Haworth found the net to score and close out the half, 43-31 Pats on top.
 
The second half was all Patriots as Vilma Covane found Channing Lewis behind the arc to extend Cumberlands' lead to 17. UC was perfect from the three-point line for the rest of the half, with additional buckets from Hannah Lawson and Kaylee Mathis. The Patriots closed out the third quarter shooting 11-16 from the field with a 71-50 lead.
 
The final quarter of play was no different than the others as UC dominated the court, hitting 57% of their field goals and knocked down a trio of threes. With six minutes remaining, Cumberlands saw their largest lead of the night, outscoring the Eagles by a 24-point margin. The Patriots defeated the Eagles 95-67, with 24 points in the final quarter of play.
 
Cumberlands had three ladies in double figures led by V. Covane with a career-high 26 points and seven rebounds. Silvia Veloso chipped in 10 points, eight rebounds, and three steals, while Abbi Douglas tallied a career-high seven assists. Freshman Channing Lewis had an impressive debut, nearly earning a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds. UC notched 35 points off the bench and outrebounded Asbury 60-33.
 
The Patriots return to the court this Saturday, Oct. 31 as they travel to Black Mountain, NC for their first away game against Montreat College. Tip-off is set for 4pm with live video available here and live stats available here.

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