Williamsburg, KY – Heading into the 2021-22 season Patriots Head Women's Basketball Coach Rick Reeves knew he had one of the youngest teams in the NAIA, however, UC maintained its high expectations and Friday afternoon Cumberlands will compete in the NAIA opening round for the second straight season.  This young core has led the Patriots to several program milestones, while eager to make their mark on the national stage.

Cumberlands opened the season with four straight wins, marking the first of three four-game winning streaks during the season.  Overall, UC compiled a 20-12 record, including a 13-9 mark against the Mid-South Conference, which had eight teams qualify for the NAIA National Tournament.  It was the first time in a decade and 17^th time in program history that the Patriots won at least 20 games in a season, while the 13 conference wins are the most since the 2013-14 season. 

The Patriots enter postseason play with nine wins over tournament teams, including knocking off than top-ranked Thomas More 87-79 back on February 5^th.  It was Cumberlands first win over a NAIA top-ranked opponent in its program history, which the Patriots might have a chance to add to that history with a potential second round match-up with top-ranked Southeastern.  Cumberlands has found success in the friendly confines of Randy Vernon Court as they went 15-2 at home this season, with wins over the Saints, Bethel, Freed-Hardeman, Georgetown, Lindsey Wilson, and Reinhardt all of which advanced to the tournament.  That success yielded UC the third-seed in the MSC Tournament as the Patriots knocked off Pikeville 71-63 in the quarterfinals before falling in the semifinals to second-seed and fifth-ranked Campbellsville.

The young nucleus of the Patriots has been the catalyst for their success this season, starting with the MSC Freshman of the Year and First Team All-Conference selection Kassie Monday.  Monday leads the team averaging 15.7 points and 4.1 assists per game this season and is coming off back-to-back career performances during the MSC Tournament.  Destiny Haworth, an MSC Second Team All-Conference selection, is averaging 12.3 points per game and is ranked seventh in the NAIA shooting 46.1% from behind the arc.  Abbi Douglas is one of the Patriots most versatile players that has gotten it done all over the court with 12.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game.

In addition to that trio, UC will continue to rely on Kaylie Monday, who is averaging over two steals and 4.8 rebounds per game, and Channing Lewis, the team's leading rebounder at 6.6 boards per game.  Cumberlands has continued to get strong play off the bench from Casey Coleman, Sydney Dalton, Lillie Hall, and Shelby Moore. These players add depth to the UC lineup and have stepped up throughout the season to give Coach Reeves plenty of options for this postseason run.

Cumberlands earned the eighth-seed in the Naismith Bracket and opens up tournament play with ninth-seed Rust at 1 p.m. in Lakeland, FL.  The UC is seeking its first tournament win since 2010 when they reached the Sweet 16. There first test is Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament Championships Bearcats that have recorded a 25-3 record on the season and leads the NAIA in limiting opponents to 49.4 points per game.  UC outscored their two opponents by a combined 49-30 in the first quarter during the MSC Tournament will look to carry that momentum into the national tournament and set the tone early.

Fans can tune in to the Patriots opening round matchup here, with live stats available here.

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