Williamsburg, KY – The (RV) UC women's basketball team had three players in double figures and had a strong defensive stand in the closing seconds of play as the Patriots took down Freed-Hardeman 66-63. With the win UC improves to 13-3 overall and 7-3 in the MSC, while extending their win streak to five. 

Channing Lewis lead the way for the Patriots with her fifth double-double of the season, collecting 16 points and 10 rebounds as well as a season-high three blocks.  Kassie Monday scored a team-high 17 points to go along with six assists, four rebounds, and a pair of steals.  Lakin Burke chipped in 11 points off the bench, marking her fifth game in double figures this season, all of which have come in conference play.  Kaylie Monday tallied five rebounds, three assists, and six points.

Kassie Monday opened the game draining a three-pointer to put Cumberlands in front.  The Lions scored four straight before Kaylie Monday found Burke on the block for a layup to give the Patriots a 5-4 advantage four minutes into the first quarter.  Freed-Hardeman went on an 10-4 run as Kassie Monday found Kaylie Monday in the corner for a triple cutting the deficit to 15-12 with 1:55 remaining.  Cumberlands closed out the period with a three from Kassie Monday, while Kaedlee Potter grabbed an offensive board and putback to give Cumberlands a 19-17 edge. 

Both teams picked up the defensive intensity in the second quarter as the two teams combined to shot 7-29 from the field.   Kassie Monday started UC's scoring with a jumper before finding Lewis for a three pointer giving the Patriots a 24-20 edge with 3:53 left.  The two teams traded baskets over the next three minutes as Freed-Hardeman evened the score.  In the final minute, Casey Coleman kicked it out to Jaiden Cox for a three-pointer to give Cumberlands a 29-28 lead at the break.

Destiny Haworth netted five straight points to open the third quarter extending UC's lead to 34-28.  The Lions went on a 9-2 run, however, Lewis added a layup putting the Patriots back in front.  Cumberlands went on a 6-0 run, capped off by an Amerah Steele layup made it 44-40 with 3:27 remaining.  Kassie Monday and Burke combined for the Patriots next seven points as UC took a 52-44 lead into the fourth quarter.

The two teams traded baskets over the first three minutes of the fourth quarter until Potter tallied a layup to make it 61-53 with 6:17 remaining.  Freed-Hardeman cut the lead to four points before Lewis added consecutive layups to make it 65-59 with 2:31 remaining.  The Lions scored four straight points making it 65-63 with 1:47 remaining.  Burke made two steals to give the Patriots the possession with 27 seconds remaining.  Kaylie Monday added one from the charity stripe, while Cumberlands defense contest the final two shots for the 66-63 final.

UC returns to the court Saturday, January 7, as they host Bethel on Randy Vernon Court.  Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. with live video available here.

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