Williamsburg, KY - The Patriots women's basketball team defeated the Lions of Freed-Hardeman on Saturday 78-67 at Randy Vernon Court. With the win UC improves to 10-2 overall and extends their win streak to three games. Leading the way for Cumberlands was Hannah Lawson, who poured in 12 points, while Silvia Veloso and Reagan Begole both chipped in 11 points apiece. 
 
The Patriots fell behind early in the first quarter, but Channing Lewis got the run started when she finished a beautiful drive to the basket to even the score at 2-2. The teams traded baskets until sophomore guard, Abbi Douglas, was fouled while driving to the rim and connected on an off-balance layup. Douglas made the free-throw to complete the three-point-play and give Cumberlands a 14-12 lead with 3:31 remaining. A late push gave Freed-Hardeman a 20-19 lead going into the second quarter. 
 
The Patriots quickly regained the lead in the second quarter when Douglas knocked-down a three-ball from the corner. After a couple of field goals from Freed-Hardeman, the Patriots took the lead the right back when sophomore, Addison Wilson connected on a three-pointer from the top of the key. Trailing 29-28, the Patriots turned up the defensive pressure when Begole turned in a massive block on the baseline, which led Patriots points cutting the deficit to 29-28 with 3:32 remaining. In the wanning seconds of the first half, freshman Destiny Haworth, hit a three-point shot under pressure to ensure a 39-35 Patriots lead at the half. 
 
Cumberlands scored the first points of the third quarter when Lawson cut through the paint and banked home a tough fadeaway shot. After a failed Freed-Hardeman possession, Lawson made a beautiful pass inside to Carla Covane for an easy layup to make it 42-37 with 7:33 left. The Patriots continued their run when Veloso stole the ball from Raegan Purvine and converted the fast break score to give UC a 45-37 lead. Freed-Hardeman cut into the Patriots lead down the stretch in the third quarter, but UC took a 54-52 lead into the final quarter. 
 
As was a trend in this game, Cumberlands scored the first points of the quarter as Begole cashed in with a three-point strike from the corner. After Freed-Hardeman cut the Cumberlands lead to one, Begole answered with a right-hand layup to give UC a 58-55 lead with just under six minutes left to play. On the next possession, Freed-Hardeman turned the ball over, giving Begole the opportunity to cash in on another layup. With 4:12 left to play, Veloso converted a crucial 3-point play to extend the Patriots lead to 64-57. Just over a minute later, Lewis received a pass in the corner and buried a three to give Cumberlands a 67-58 advantage. The Patriots held off a late Freed-Hardeman push to secure a 78-67 win. 
 
The Patriots will look to extend their win streak to four, as they head to Lebanon, TN to face Cumberland University on Thursday, January 14.