Columbia, KY - The (RV) Patriots women's basketball team was unable to defeat the #17 Lindsey Wilson College Blue Raiders 64-61 Saturday afternoon. With the win, Raiders move to 11-1 overall and 6-1 in the MSC, while the Patriots are now 11-3 overall and 7-3 in conference play.
A big night was had by Silvia Veloso who put up 23 points, 13 rebounds, and four steals notching her third double-double of the season. Vilma Covane contributed 15 points, five rebounds, and three steals, while Carla Covane had six points, 10 rebounds, and one block.
Featuring the same starting lineup as last game, the Patriots offense struggled early on until Vilma Covane got it started off with a bank shot to gain the lead at 3-2 with 8:08 remains in the first quarter. Following a 6-2 run by the Blue Raiders, Abbi Douglas was able to drill in a three to tie up the score at 8-8 with 4:55 remaining. The Blue Raiders then went on an 8-2 run until Veloso made a beautiful pass that set up Addison Willson for a corner three that cut the Raider lead to 16-13 with 1:18 left in the first quarter. After a Blue Raider bucket, UC fell further behind with the score being 18-14 at the end of the first.
Cumberlands showed tenacity right out of the gate in the second quarter with both Veloso and V. Covane being active on the offensive boards. As a result, Veloso scored a layup to lessen the Raider lead to 18-16 with 9:37 remaining in the second. The Patriots utilized an 8-5 run, capped off by Channing Lewis putting in work on the low block, to overtake the lead at 24-23 with 6:31 remaining. Following a Blue Raider turnover, UC was able to capitalize with a transition basket by Douglas to regain the lead at 30-28 with 2:38 remaining. However, the Blue Raiders would be the last to score in the half with a made three that tied the score at 33-33 going into halftime.
To start the third quarter, V. Covane was able to secure another offensive board and score to put the Patriots up at 35-33 with 9:20 remaining. After exchanging back-and-forth buckets with one another, Cumberlands posted their biggest lead of the game so far with a pair of free throws made by Veloso to make the score 39-35 with 7:19 left in the third. In spite of tight defense by UC, the Blue Raiders would then go on to regain the lead at 42-41 with a field goal made by Sydnie Hall with 4:38 remaining. Lindsey Wilson closed the quarter out on a 9-5 run with the Patriots being down 51-46 heading into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter opened with a couple of lackluster offensive possessions by Cumberlands, which the Blue Raiders capitalized extending their lead to 55-46 with 8:49 left in the game. Although, the Patriots would go on to battle back with a V. Covane bucket to cut the Blue Raider lead to 58-54 with 6:03 remaining. Several minutes later, UC was able to get some transition offense in with a basket made by Lewis, which cut the Blue Raider lead to just one at 59-58 with just 2:20 left in the game. The Patriots had multiple opportunities to retake the lead however where unsuccessful, while Lindsey Wilson converted five free-throws to take a 64-58 lead. Cumberlands continued to fight as Veloso made a desperation three to lessen the lead to 64-61 with just 0:05 left on the clock. However, this would not help UC as they were unable to foul before time expired.
The Patriots will look to bounce back when they face Martin Methodist College in Williamsburg on Thursday, January 21. Tip-off for the game is at 5:30 pm with live stats available here and live video available here.
For the latest and most up-to-date information on University of the Cumberlands Athletics, please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com. Follow us on Twitter - @UC_Patriots and @UCPatsGameDay, Instagram - @UCPatriots, YouTube – Cumberlands Patriots, and Facebook by searching University of the Cumberlands Athletics.
