Bowling Green, KY – Patriots women's basketball concluded their 2019-20 campaign on Saturday evening, falling to ninth-ranked Shawnee State 92-67 in the MSC tournament quarterfinals. UC wraps up the season with a record of 19-12, including a 6-10 conference run.

Silvia Veloso's 25 points paced the Patriots in a performance where she went 11-14 from the free throw line while grabbing a team high six rebounds. The Covane sisters both notched double-digit performances as Carla finished with 12 while Vilma managed 11.

Veloso put the Patriots on top early in the first, drilling a triple before connecting from the field to give the Patriots 5-2 lead at the 8:26 mark. Shawnee State embarked on a 10-2 run over the next three minutes following shots from Bailey Cummins and Brandi Snow that put the Bears up 12-7. SSU grew their lead to eight just inside the final five minutes of the period, but the Patriots were able to connect on a series of free throws to make it a two-possession game at 3:33. Shawnee grew their lead to 11 to close the quarter, leading the Patriots 29-18 at the end of the first.

SSU's Carson Roney opened the second quarter with a three-pointer, followed up by a two from Leah Wingeier that grew the Bears lead to 13. Abbi Douglas made a tough second-chance layup before Veloso sank a three, bringing the Patriots within four to make it 35-31 with 5:49 to play in the half. Veloso knocked down two shots in the final three minutes but that would be the extent of the Patriots offensive attack as they headed into the half trailing 51-38.

The Patriots opened the third quarter with an aggressive offensive approach, scoring back to back buckets via Carla Covane and Veloso in attempts to bite into the Bears lead. Shawnee kept their foot on the gas though, going up by as much as 16 over the next few minutes, leading 61-45 with 6:21 to play in the period. The Patriots came within ten over the next series of possessions but were limited by the Bears defense, falling behind by 19 headed into the final minute. Headed into the fourth, UC trailed 74-57.

The fourth quarter comeback effort did not come to fruition for the Patriots as the high-powered offense of the Bears proved overwhelming. With 5:31 to go, the Bears led 90-59 and added one bucket before defeating the Patriots by a final score of 92-67.

UC women's basketball is in the process of announcing exciting new additions to the team as they enter the offseason. These articles, highlighting the talent and accomplishments of new signees will be released on a weekly basis via cumberlandspatriots.com.

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